Folks from Mass (Boston/North Shore): good pizza, roast beef sandwiches, Chinese food

[frayedends]

Figure this is a good place to find all sorts of info. Be moving there soon.

Anyhow, as anyone from Boston/North Shore can attest, we are snobs on pizza, roast beef sandwiches and even Chinese food. Heck when I moved closer to Worcester I couldn't even find good Chinese nor roast beef.

So what I'm looking for is roast beef like Kelly's. Warm beef slices on a sesame or onion roll, American cheese, and bbq sauce.

Pizza, needs to be Italian style, not Greek. God I'd kill for a Santarpios pizza. But heck even Papa Ginos is acceptable.

Chinese, well if you are from the North Shore, you know Kowloon style. That's what I'd be looking for.

Please no haters. The food IS NOT A DEAL BREAKER. If you want to tell me to stay in Massachusetts, just move along. This is for fun and to hear what there is for fast casual stuff around the Villages. It does not matter if the food doesn't live up to what I have in Massachusetts. I'm just trying to learn more.

[asianthree]

We have been coming to TV since 2007

Pizza…..Sammy’s on 301..good but better than OK we also have chains so your pick

Beef.. nothing special

Chinese…learn to make your own…but if you can adapt we do have couple of Vietnamese restaurants

So the places you are looking for Sadly No…No..and hell No

[Bilyclub]

Pizza sucks here no matter what version you like.
Had to look it up.

What is Massachusetts style pizza?
Beach pizza is a style of pizza popular in the coastal communities of New England north of Boston, particularly in northeastern Massachusetts and coastal New Hampshire. It has a very thin crust and is rectangular, being typically cooked on a baking sheet.

[Keefelane66]

Oh boy you'll miss North Shore food

[frayedends]

For pizza I mean North End or East Boston style. Really the same as NY style. Pizzeria Regina would be the most recognizable name.

[LuvNH]

You do not move to Florida for the food.

[LuvNH]

For pizza I mean North End or East Boston style. Really the same as NY style. Pizzeria Regina would be the most recognizable name.

Nothing like that here. Seafood kinda terrible. But the sun shines every day!!!!

[Two Bills]

Why do people move, if what seems a priority, is not the same or better? :confused:

[Caymus]

For pizza I mean North End or East Boston style. Really the same as NY style. Pizzeria Regina would be the most recognizable name.

I always found North Shore Pizza pretty generic. Buy an Ooni, you will have plenty of free time.

For South Shore, bring some pans from Baystate Restaurant Supply with you.

[gatorbill1]

Bellevue Pizza

[DonH57]

Haven't found anything like Pizzeria Regina or Polcari's, or Papa Gino's for that matter. NYPD Pizza or the one in Sumter Landing. The name draws a blank now.

[Stu from NYC]

Pizza is edible but if you know good ny pizza not going to find it here.

We think some Chinese restaurants are ok.

[frayedends]

Why do people move, if what seems a priority, is not the same or better? :confused:

I didn’t say it was a priority. Heck my last sentence in the post was pretty clear it was for fun and info on what’s available. Priorities are weather, politics, social life. Good food can be found and I’ll be just fine without these foods. But why not ask?

[retiredguy123]

I didn’t say it was a priority. Heck my last sentence in the post was pretty clear it was for fun and info on what’s available. Priorities are weather, politics, social life. Good food can be found and I’ll be just fine without these foods. But why not ask?
The food here is so bad that you won't be able to enjoy the weather, politics, or social life (just kidding).

[frayedends]

The food here is so bad that you won't be able to enjoy the weather, politics, or social life (just kidding).

LOL. We enjoyed Bluefin and the Chophouse. I think we liked Red Sauce a few years ago. Even City Fire was fine for what it is. We will be okay.

[C4Boston]

Please let us know if you find any favorites. Blue Fin seafood in Brownwood is good. Chinese... bring some with you. Subs, good luck. Bravo pizza in Lake Sumter wasn't bad. If you get really desperate for bar pizza Town Spa in Stoughton will ship pizzas :-)

[Mudder]

Nothing like Kelly's roast beef around The Villlages, no Kowloon either, Papa Gino's forget it. You'll notice a BIG difference in Dunkin too. No Woodman's for fried clams, no Beach Plum for Lobstah rolls either.
But we survived, lots of fun decent places around here!

[Stu from NYC]

Please let us know if you find any favorites. Blue Fin seafood in Brownwood is good. Chinese... bring some with you. Subs, good luck. Bravo pizza in Lake Sumter wasn't bad. If you get really desperate for bar pizza Town Spa in Stoughton will ship pizzas :-)

Some places here have good Italian bread, buy some and make your own hero.

[Caymus]

Some places here have good Italian bread, buy some and make your own hero.

You mean grinder?:girlneener:

[retiredguy123]

You mean grinder?:girlneener:
You mean hoagie?

[DonH57]

Please let us know if you find any favorites. Blue Fin seafood in Brownwood is good. Chinese... bring some with you. Subs, good luck. Bravo pizza in Lake Sumter wasn't bad. If you get really desperate for bar pizza Town Spa in Stoughton will ship pizzas :-)

That's it, Bravo Pizza. I couldn't think of the name earlier. I forgot about Town Spa Pizza. Good stuff.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Figure this is a good place to find all sorts of info. I'm closing on my house in Lake Denham in a few weeks. We aren't retired, so will only be there infrequently throughout the year. We aren't planning on renting our house out or anything.

Anyhow, as anyone from Boston/North Shore can attest, we are snobs on pizza, roast beef sandwiches and even Chinese food. Heck when I moved closer to Worcester I couldn't even find good Chinese nor roast beef.

So what I'm looking for is roast beef like Kelly's. Warm beef slices on a sesame or onion roll, American cheese, and bbq sauce.

Pizza, needs to be Italian style, not Greek. God I'd kill for a Santarpios pizza. But heck even Papa Ginos is acceptable.

Chinese, well if you are from the North Shore, you know Kowloon style. That's what I'd be looking for.

Please no haters. If you want to tell me to stay in Massachusetts, just move along. This is for fun and to hear what there is for fast casual stuff around the Villages.

There is no comparison, unfortunately. Most Villagers are from somewhere other than Mass/RI/NYC/NJ/CT. That means their taste buds are totally not - ours. Most of them wouldn't know a decent Lobster Cantonese if it smacked them up'side the head. And pizza? Fuggedaboudit. The nearest Indian Restaurant is over a half hour away. Roast beef - there are choices, but none as good as up north where people have experience in quality.

You can't even buy decent pastrami by the pound at a deli up here and make your own grilled pastrami and swiss on rye. It's all ultra-lean, which means mostly flavorless and chewy.

[pokeefe45@aol.com]

Santarpio's and Kowloon will have no match in this state anywhere (no matter what the locals say). Kelly's Roast Beef (which is owned by the 110 Grill now) opened their 3rd Florida location in Sarasota and will probably be up close to TV before long. GREAT heads up that Town Pizza will ship! I'm all over that one. Boston born and bred here-North and South Shore-the food here is mediocre, but the life is fantastic otherwise!

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Santarpio's and Kowloon will have no match in this state anywhere (no matter what the locals say). Kelly's Roast Beef (which is owned by the 110 Grill now) opened their 3rd Florida location in Sarasota and will probably be up close to TV before long. GREAT heads up that Town Pizza will ship! I'm all over that one. Boston born and bred here-North and South Shore-the food here is mediocre, but the life is fantastic otherwise!

Back Bay, Beacon Hill, and Brighton, during the 7 years I lived in Boston (4 were college, but I liked it so I stayed a few more years). My usual hang-out was Harvard Square.

[LuvNH]

You can buy online several of the items you mention. Pastrami from NYC, Bagels from NYC, Lobster and seafood from Maine, and I think you can even get When Pigs Fly from Amazon and I am sure you can get Kelly's Roast Beef online.

[Caymus]

Santarpio's and Kowloon will have no match in this state anywhere (no matter what the locals say). Kelly's Roast Beef (which is owned by the 110 Grill now) opened their 3rd Florida location in Sarasota and will probably be up close to TV before long. GREAT heads up that Town Pizza will ship! I'm all over that one. Boston born and bred here-North and South Shore-the food here is mediocre, but the life is fantastic otherwise!

You will be disappointed if they prebake them like Cape Cod Cafe does.

[Stu from NYC]

You mean hoagie?

or sub:MOJE_whot:

[Stu from NYC]

There is no comparison, unfortunately. Most Villagers are from somewhere other than Mass/RI/NYC/NJ/CT. That means their taste buds are totally not - ours. Most of them wouldn't know a decent Lobster Cantonese if it smacked them up'side the head. And pizza? Fuggedaboudit. The nearest Indian Restaurant is over a half hour away. Roast beef - there are choices, but none as good as up north where people have experience in quality.

You can't even buy decent pastrami by the pound at a deli up here and make your own grilled pastrami and swiss on rye. It's all ultra-lean, which means mostly flavorless and chewy.

BJ's has almost passable pastrami sliced to order. Would never try and cook it further.

[jimbomaybe]

You will be disappointed if they prebake them like Cape Cod Cafe does.
It pains me to hear those from the N/E talk about Pizza, get on an airplane fly to Chicago O'hare, cab it to Lou n Malanites , deep dish or thin , next day , beef, harder choice many good Italian beef places to pick from, make mine "hot ,wet, combo, ( bread dipped in the juice, link of italian sausage and beef, hot giardiniera)

[frayedends]

Santarpio's and Kowloon will have no match in this state anywhere (no matter what the locals say). Kelly's Roast Beef (which is owned by the 110 Grill now) opened their 3rd Florida location in Sarasota and will probably be up close to TV before long. GREAT heads up that Town Pizza will ship! I'm all over that one. Boston born and bred here-North and South Shore-the food here is mediocre, but the life is fantastic otherwise!

I had no idea that Kelley’s was now owned by 110. I am not very close to one as I am in Westminster Massachusetts now. The last time I had Kelly’s was at Logan airport and it was good but not as good as I remember also, when I told them, I wanted it with sauce they put au jus instead of the Kelley’s barbecue sauce. Strange. In any case, we always had lots of options for roast beef. East Boston had, royal roast beef, Salem near the college had big Fred’s roast beef. It was everywhere, but you don’t see it outside of that area.

As far as pastrami, I can actually make a good pastrami myself. I have corned the beef brisket then seasoned it and smoked it into an excellent pastrami. Maybe I found my retirement business. Lol.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

THe only seafood here which is worthy and fresh is shrimp, as southern fish is warm water and small, and tuna is young as they migrate north to feed in the colder waters of the north atlantic to get to size so forget about fresh cold water atlantic fish as a regular staple.

If you want to start a business in demand, start a true NE/NY style pizzeria,
and you will mint money. .

cooking at home is your best bet, and if you as specific about food as you type, you shouldhave plenty of time to learn to cook like at home,

We will go in with anyone on flying in some fresh alaskan salmon from Seattle Washington in the late spring , once a year, whole fishes packed in ice. . once a year for the grille. . beats North atlantic and farm raised everyday all day. .

[DonH57]

THe only seafood here which is worthy and fresh is shrimp, as southern fish is warm water and small, and tuna is young as they migrate north to feed in the colder waters of the north atlantic to get to size so forget about fresh cold water atlantic fish as a regular staple.

If you want to start a business in demand, start a true NE/NY style pizzeria,
and you will mint money. .

cooking at home is your best bet, and if you as specific about food as you type, you shouldhave plenty of time to learn to cook like at home,

We will go in with anyone on flying in some fresh alaskan salmon from Seattle Washington in the late spring , once a year, whole fishes packed in ice. . once a year for the grille. . beats North atlantic and farm raised everyday all day. .

I agree about a true NE?NY style pizza. I suppose the hardest part would be getting the true flours, meats, cheeses, and sauces from suppliers in New England and New York. Just hungry thinking about it!:mmmm:

[Michael 61]

Interesting that no one brings up good “Mexican” - I guess that’s more of a western states staple - Still miss a really good Breakfast burrito, authentic street tacos, New Mexican-style green chili, and salsa that isn’t dumbed-down to taste like mild ketchup. I can make all these dishes and more myself, but occasionally it’s nice to go out and have really good Mexican food.

[Pondboy]

Sadly, I can say that the Villages is not known for its food…..mediocre at best.

I grew up in the Merrimack Valley area and feel your pain on the Roast Beef Sandwiches. I miss Harrison’s and Riley’s.

The Chinese food is ok. there are a few in various shopping centers to try out. Can’t say I have a favorite or tried them all.

I’ve resorted to making my own pizza so nothing compares to that. Get ya some pizza dough from Publix, the toppings of your choice and throw it on a hot gas grill. Cook for about 3-4 minutes, throw it under the broiler to brown the top and you are good to go.

You don’t need a fancy oven, just a hot grill.

[frayedends]

Oh I'm a pretty good cook. Mostly famous for my BBQ. But some things I just haven't got the time for or haven't found the right recipes. Store bought pizza dough hasn't been great. Once I'm fully retired maybe I'll take the time to perfect a crust.

Chinese wings have been my favorite, but the kind that arent' breaded and seem to maybe have some ginger and soy sauce flavor to them. But I hate deep frying at home. Too much oil to deal with.

And well, roast beef, it'll just be 2 of us so making a roast to use for sandwiches may be off the list.

Nevertheless, while I enjoyed Chophouse, I make a much better steak. Anything on a grill and I'm good to go.

[retiredguy123]

Interesting that no one brings up good “Mexican” - I guess that’s more of a western states staple - Still miss a really good Breakfast burrito, authentic street tacos, New Mexican-style green chili, and salsa that isn’t dumbed-down to taste like mild ketchup. I can make all these dishes and more myself, but occasionally it’s nice to go out and have really good Mexican food.
I hate to say it, but the best Mexican food in The Villages is at Taco Bell. They have the best tacos, correctly made with ground beef, and they have actual taco sauce, which is non-existent in any other Mexican restaurant. Who wants tacos made with low quality beef cubes, no taco sauce, and you can't even pick it up?

[Stu from NYC]

I agree about a true NE?NY style pizza. I suppose the hardest part would be getting the true flours, meats, cheeses, and sauces from suppliers in New England and New York. Just hungry thinking about it!:mmmm:

I think you would need high quality fresh mozzarella and a good tomato sauce made from imported Italian tomatoes.

[frayedends]

I think you would need high quality fresh mozzarella and a good tomato sauce made from imported Italian tomatoes.

Oh come on Stu. You are from NYC. You don't need fresh mozzarella. Matter of fact, fresh mozzarella is on Neopolitan pizza, not NYC pizza. Whole milk shredded mozzarella is the way to go. In addition, the sauce is usually just ground San Marzano tomatoes, maybe a bit of garlic and oregano. Nothing too complicated. :). It's the crust I haven't mastered. Heck didn't Disney even bring in NYC water to make their NY pizza crust?

[Pairadocs]

Figure this is a good place to find all sorts of info. Be moving there soon.

Anyhow, as anyone from Boston/North Shore can attest, we are snobs on pizza, roast beef sandwiches and even Chinese food. Heck when I moved closer to Worcester I couldn't even find good Chinese nor roast beef.

So what I'm looking for is roast beef like Kelly's. Warm beef slices on a sesame or onion roll, American cheese, and bbq sauce.

Pizza, needs to be Italian style, not Greek. God I'd kill for a Santarpios pizza. But heck even Papa Ginos is acceptable.

Chinese, well if you are from the North Shore, you know Kowloon style. That's what I'd be looking for.

Please no haters. If you want to tell me to stay in Massachusetts, just move along. This is for fun and to hear what there is for fast casual stuff around the Villages.

Not a hater, nor an insulting nasty type at all. But....LOL... sorry, I just don't think you are going to like central Florida AT ALL. However, if you stay, and you finally accept your fate, that you must give up some good things but other very attractive things (low property taxes, no state income tax, fantastic natural environment of spring fed rivers, hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, air generally free of industrial manufacturing plant "odors", and so on) take their place and the food "back home" is not forgotten, but the new mediocre replacements become an acceptable trade off. Pizza, genuine Chinese, or Hong Kong style, no not really. Orlando has a district with some really authentic Vietnamese cuisine, pretty close to the real thing. So, you might enjoy what is available... some great Bar-B-Q, some authentic southern dishes (visit the location not far from Gainesville where Marjorie Rawlings wrote the classic novel The Yearling), and have some great and authentic Greek food in nearby Tarpon Springs... We do what we can to forget what we don't have....LOL ! The FRESH caught snapper and genuine grouper at the coast is GREAT and Florida shrimp can not even be compared to the farmed Taiwanese variety served in big city restaurants... and in some right here... you have to be "careful"... LOL ! Good luck, you'll find some items to take the place of what you've "left".

[Caymus]

I agree about a true NE?NY style pizza. I suppose the hardest part would be getting the true flours, meats, cheeses, and sauces from suppliers in New England and New York. Just hungry thinking about it!:mmmm:

You can get almost everything online, but probably in quantities you may not want.

The sauce will be in #10 cans, the flour (bromated high gluten) will be in 25 or 50 lb bags. Most higher end shops use Grande Mozz which is usually only available from food service companies.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

BJ's has almost passable pastrami sliced to order. Would never try and cook it further.

There's no point in buying pastrami at all if you can't bring it home and grill the slices with swiss cheese on toasted rye, some raw red onion and for people who require condiments - Gulden's mustard.

One simply does not consume cold pastrami. It is sacrilegious, and borders on heresy.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Interesting that no one brings up good “Mexican” - I guess that’s more of a western states staple - Still miss a really good Breakfast burrito, authentic street tacos, New Mexican-style green chili, and salsa that isn’t dumbed-down to taste like mild ketchup. I can make all these dishes and more myself, but occasionally it’s nice to go out and have really good Mexican food.

There are only two taquerias that I know of, north of 466 between 301 and 441. I frequent one of them, and it's incredibly popular among Mexicans. I've mentioned it before but - they've become more popular since I first went to them a year ago. So I'm hesitant to remind anyone. The lines are reasonable (except during the lunch rush) and I'd selfishly like to keep it that way.

[Dotneko]

For pizza I mean North End or East Boston style. Really the same as NY style. Pizzeria Regina would be the most recognizable name.

We were in New England last week and went to Regina at Foxwoods. OMG, so far above anything here in the Villages!

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

To the OP: the real deal, the "true story" is - The Villages lacks diversity in food, because The Villages is low on diversity in residents. It's predominately white, almost all English-as-First-Language, predominately "somewhere other than the cultural and ethnic diversity of the Northeastern/New England states." This is Vanilla country. If you want diversity in food, you need to go some place where they have diverse people.

[Stu from NYC]

Oh come on Stu. You are from NYC. You don't need fresh mozzarella. Matter of fact, fresh mozzarella is on Neopolitan pizza, not NYC pizza. Whole milk shredded mozzarella is the way to go. In addition, the sauce is usually just ground San Marzano tomatoes, maybe a bit of garlic and oregano. Nothing too complicated. :). It's the crust I haven't mastered. Heck didn't Disney even bring in NYC water to make their NY pizza crust?

I find the cheese they put on pizza here pretty tasteless same as the sauce. We have tried making our own pizza and never thought we had something any good.

[mike234]

Figure this is a good place to find all sorts of info. Be moving there soon.

Anyhow, as anyone from Boston/North Shore can attest, we are snobs on pizza, roast beef sandwiches and even Chinese food. Heck when I moved closer to Worcester I couldn't even find good Chinese nor roast beef.

So what I'm looking for is roast beef like Kelly's. Warm beef slices on a sesame or onion roll, American cheese, and bbq sauce.

Pizza, needs to be Italian style, not Greek. God I'd kill for a Santarpios pizza. But heck even Papa Ginos is acceptable.

Chinese, well if you are from the North Shore, you know Kowloon style. That's what I'd be looking for.

Please no haters. If you want to tell me to stay in Massachusetts, just move along. This is for fun and to hear what there is for fast casual stuff around the Villages.
ok. here you go. the seafood, forget it.... people actually eat oysters here, and say they're great. OMG.....everything else, don't bother. gross .... ditto on the Chinese food. and as far as pizza goes. anyone. anyone? IMHO the food in florida, and the villages is mediocre......

[Dotneko]

Regina Pizzeria would clean up down here! There is no good pizza in the Villages. Just acceptable. Probably Robertos or Brooklyn is the best of the worst. Piesanos is just greasy awful pizza.

Chinese - Kung Fu Chef is passable. No one makes good crab rangoon.
We went to Bamboo in Westford MA last week to remind us of how awful it is down here.

The is nothing to compare to Juniors pastrami. There just isnt.

Not a big roast beef eater, so cant comment.

The Seafood shack in Leesburg isnt bad for fried fish. They do lobster and steamers on the weekends. The steamer water could be fresher. There was an aftertaste in the rinse water. Butter was good tho. They have whole belly and necks for clams. They are a fair approximation of Markeys in salisbury.

Brooklyn water bagels are pretty good.

[mike234]

ok. here you go. the seafood, forget it.... people actually eat oysters here, and say they're great. OMG.....everything else, don't bother. gross .... ditto on the Chinese food. and as far as pizza goes. anyone. anyone? IMHO the food in florida, and the villages is mediocre......
someone else does as I do, from being sick of sandwiches from shops. Publix has great sub rolls, in their bakery. go to their bakery and buy your rolls. their deli has all the cold cuts that you need. and your own toppings. it's your only hope. but be patient at the deli. it may take a few hours for them to slice your stuff.....

[retiredguy123]

Regina Pizzeria would clean up down here! There is no good pizza in the Villages. Just acceptable. Probably Robertos or Brooklyn is the best of the worst. Piesanos is just greasy awful pizza.

Chinese - Kung Fu Chef is passable. No one makes good crab rangoon.
We went to Bamboo in Westford MA last week to remind us of how awful it is down here.

The is nothing to compare to Juniors pastrami. There just isnt.

Not a big roast beef eater, so cant comment.

The Seafood shack in Leesburg isnt bad for fried fish. They do lobster and steamers on the weekends. The steamer water could be fresher. There was an aftertaste in the rinse water. Butter was good tho. They have whole belly and necks for clams. They are a fair approximation of Markeys in salisbury.

Brooklyn water bagels are pretty good.
I think you should mention that the Seafood Shack in Leesburg is a dump where you can't even get a drink. And, they have no place to sit until your name is called, and then you need to pay when you order. No thank you.

[frayedends]

I find the cheese they put on pizza here pretty tasteless same as the sauce. We have tried making our own pizza and never thought we had something any good.


I was really just teasing on the NYC thing. But I was following a YouTube channel, link below. I recall they have a video on sauce and it's literally just the tomatoes and maybe some oregano/garlic. I tried it at home and was amazed. All the years I tried making sauce better by adding stuff, and my problem was I added too much stuff. I may have to revisit the videos on this channel...

North American Pizza & Culinary Academy - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@northamericanpizzaculinary927)

[bob47]

I guess I consider myself fortunate not a have a very discriminating palate. It's nice to be able to enjoy a Pizza Hut pizza, a Subway sandwich, or a Sonny's Barbecue dish.

[mgkw1]

No papa gino's or d'angelos or even a Kelly's Try Jersey Mikes for subs and Kung Fu Chef or chinese. I don;t like any of the pizza.

[retiredguy123]

I was really just teasing on the NYC thing. But I was following a YouTube channel, link below. I recall they have a video on sauce and it's literally just the tomatoes and maybe some oregano/garlic. I tried it at home and was amazed. All the years I tried making sauce better by adding stuff, and my problem was I added too much stuff. I may have to revisit the videos on this channel...

North American Pizza & Culinary Academy - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@northamericanpizzaculinary927)
I'm happy to find a pizza that actually has some sauce. My biggest complaint is that the pizza shows up with way too much cheese and almost no sauce. And, I don't want to tell the restaurant how to make a pizza. They should know that a pizza should have both sauce and cheese.

[Caymus]

To the OP: the real deal, the "true story" is - The Villages lacks diversity in food, because The Villages is low on diversity in residents. It's predominately white, almost all English-as-First-Language, predominately "somewhere other than the cultural and ethnic diversity of the Northeastern/New England states." This is Vanilla country. If you want diversity in food, you need to go some place where they have diverse people.

No Italians? Does that explain the bad pizza?

[frayedends]

LOL Need Italian Americans who had grandparents that immigrated here. That’s how you get NY or North End pizza. There’s got to be plenty of them in the villages. But darn it they are all retired. :D

I’m sure I’ll adapt and occasionally visit Massachusetts for the foods I miss. Heck now I’m 1.5 hours from Boston and I hardly get these foods.

[Dotneko]

LOL Need Italian Americans who had grandparents that immigrated here. That’s how you get NY or North End pizza. There’s got to be plenty of them in the villages. But darn it they are all retired. :D

I’m sure I’ll adapt and occasionally visit Massachusetts for the foods I miss. Heck now I’m 1.5 hours from Boston and I hardly get these foods.

We make a restaurant list for our infrequent trips up north. Reginas, Bamboo, and Markeys or Juniors are on the list depending on where we are headed.

[NotGolfer]

Somethings are hard to duplicate....food being part of that. THIS is Florida---it's the south and southern isn't the same as the N.E. or the midwest or wherever. Part of the "fun" is to explore and try to find what you're looking for BUT you won't find "home" here. We moved from the upper midwest and there are food-items there we can't find duplicates of here (unless we make it ourselves). I don't understand "food snobs" who come, can't find then complain because it's not like where they once lived.

[mgkw1]

Closest to your neighborhood pizza is New York Pizza, Up near Walmart

[JMintzer]

To the OP: the real deal, the "true story" is - The Villages lacks diversity in food, because The Villages is low on diversity in residents. It's predominately white, almost all English-as-First-Language, predominately "somewhere other than the cultural and ethnic diversity of the Northeastern/New England states." This is Vanilla country. If you want diversity in food, you need to go some place where they have diverse people.

Snob much?

[asianthree]

Snob much?

Please how many Asians do you see here?

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Somethings are hard to duplicate....food being part of that. THIS is Florida---it's the south and southern isn't the same as the N.E. or the midwest or wherever. Part of the "fun" is to explore and try to find what you're looking for BUT you won't find "home" here. We moved from the upper midwest and there are food-items there we can't find duplicates of here (unless we make it ourselves). I don't understand "food snobs" who come, can't find then complain because it's not like where they once lived.

It's not even decent "south." I haven't yet seen a smoker with a whole pig in it at any restaurant parking lot down here. Or Creole or Cajun - those are as "south" as it gets. I'm not a food snob. But when I want ethnic food, I want the real deal.

[Stu from NYC]

LOL Need Italian Americans who had grandparents that immigrated here. That’s how you get NY or North End pizza. There’s got to be plenty of them in the villages. But darn it they are all retired. :D

I’m sure I’ll adapt and occasionally visit Massachusetts for the foods I miss. Heck now I’m 1.5 hours from Boston and I hardly get these foods.

You are 100% right about that. They grew up knowing what good Italian food tastes like.

Almost by accident went to a neighborhood Italian restaurant in Ft Lauderdale a few months ago and food was head and shoulders above what we have here. We were looking for dinner and found a crowded restaurant and so glad we went in.

[mtdjed]

Lived on Northshore Boston 26 years. Loved all the places you mentioned in that area. Impossible to duplicate that here. Those places have been there for years and were developed based upon ethnic population and nearness to the ocean and the access to the infrastructure of businesses to support those restaurants.
None of that is available here. Restaurant staffing may be from Ocala. Food infrastructure is not local. Most items brought in from the north.
That said, I agree with most posters. No Northshore Chinese, Roast Beef, Pizza, Fish available. But since you are moving from that area, you need to adapt to being out of the Northshore area. No ocean, no snow, no mountains. But Catfish, Baby Back Ribs, Grits Alligator Bits, Fried Chicken. Change is good.

[Randall55]

Somethings are hard to duplicate....food being part of that. THIS is Florida---it's the south and southern isn't the same as the N.E. or the midwest or wherever. Part of the "fun" is to explore and try to find what you're looking for BUT you won't find "home" here. We moved from the upper midwest and there are food-items there we can't find duplicates of here (unless we make it ourselves). I don't understand "food snobs" who come, can't find then complain because it's not like where they once lived. Completely agree. The consistent flavor in the Villages seems to be BLAND. Not sure if they are trying to keep everyone happy or they believe older people do not like spicy or what. Every restaurant I try is one or two notches down from my hometown. Pizza bland. Chinese bland. Real roast beef? The closest I have seen to that is cows grazing in one of the rural pastures. At the restaurants, it is all processed.

[bowlingal]

Napolinos is the place to go for pizza. on 301 in Wildwood.

[asianthree]

It's not even decent "south." I haven't yet seen a smoker with a whole pig in it at any restaurant parking lot down here. Or Creole or Cajun - those are as "south" as it gets. I'm not a food snob. But when I want ethnic food, I want the real deal.

Smoker sometimes 2 on corner of 466 and rolling acres. Haven’t been there in awhile. Too far away, There are 3 up in Gainesville we frequent one smokes brisket, one pork, and the new guy is doing Greek.

My family in KY has a 10’x15’ triple high smoker at the farm, family takes bbq seriously.

[markusb741]

Sorry, but you move here for the sun and warm winters, definitely not the food. No Bianci's for pizza, Bill&Bob's for roast beef, The New Deal for subs, or The Clam Box for fried clams. A few places we've have found that almost make the grade: The Essex House for New England style seafood, Big Bobs for Italian, Brooklyn Bagel for bagels and deli, these are all tried and true. Unfortunately, I can't recommend any Chinese yet. But fortunately, I'm a snowbird, so I think I'll go to Gourmet Garden for lunch today. Good Luck

[frayedends]

It's not even decent "south." I haven't yet seen a smoker with a whole pig in it at any restaurant parking lot down here. Or Creole or Cajun - those are as "south" as it gets. I'm not a food snob. But when I want ethnic food, I want the real deal.

I have a decent smoker built in Texas. Not big enough for a whole hog, but a few briskets. Unfortunately I don't plan on bringing it with me. I am just not sure I could source the hardwood I need to use a stick burner. I'm going to have to try a pellet smoker. I'm sure it won't be nearly as good.

[frayedends]

Sorry, but you move here for the sun and warm winters, definitely not the food. No Bianci's for pizza, Bill&Bob's for roast beef, The New Deal for subs, or The Clam Box for fried clams. A few places we've have found that almost make the grade: The Essex House for New England style seafood, Big Bobs for Italian, Brooklyn Bagel for bagels and deli, these are all tried and true. Unfortunately, I can't recommend any Chinese yet. But fortunately, I'm a snowbird, so I think I'll go to Gourmet Garden for lunch today. Good Luck

OMG Bianci's. That was on Revere Beach, no? It's been a while but that's what I'm thinking.

[Spinnaker]

Gio’s Deli and Mercato
Oxford as close as it gets

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

You are 100% right about that. They grew up knowing what good Italian food tastes like.

Almost by accident went to a neighborhood Italian restaurant in Ft Lauderdale a few months ago and food was head and shoulders above what we have here. We were looking for dinner and found a crowded restaurant and so glad we went in.

Absolutely. There are some excellent restaurants that specialize in "anything other than steak, burgers, and fried fish" in Florida. Just none in The Villages, and most not even within a 1/2 drive outside The Villages. There isn't enough demand, because the demographics are mostly people who don't care about good food - or don't recognize it. Either way, it is what it is.

If I want edible pizza around here I pick Gio's or NY Pizza. Both are over a half hour from home, so not practical to bring home for dinner.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Sorry, but you move here for the sun and warm winters, definitely not the food. No Bianci's for pizza, Bill&Bob's for roast beef, The New Deal for subs, or The Clam Box for fried clams. A few places we've have found that almost make the grade: The Essex House for New England style seafood, Big Bobs for Italian, Brooklyn Bagel for bagels and deli, these are all tried and true. Unfortunately, I can't recommend any Chinese yet. But fortunately, I'm a snowbird, so I think I'll go to Gourmet Garden for lunch today. Good Luck

There's a Brooklyn Bagel here on 441, across the street from Home Depot in the same plaza as Bed & Bath (which is now closed for business).

[TheWarriors]

Figure this is a good place to find all sorts of info. Be moving there soon.

Anyhow, as anyone from Boston/North Shore can attest, we are snobs on pizza, roast beef sandwiches and even Chinese food. Heck when I moved closer to Worcester I couldn't even find good Chinese nor roast beef.

So what I'm looking for is roast beef like Kelly's. Warm beef slices on a sesame or onion roll, American cheese, and bbq sauce.

Pizza, needs to be Italian style, not Greek. God I'd kill for a Santarpios pizza. But heck even Papa Ginos is acceptable.

Chinese, well if you are from the North Shore, you know Kowloon style. That's what I'd be looking for.

Please no haters. If you want to tell me to stay in Massachusetts, just move along. This is for fun and to hear what there is for fast casual stuff around the Villages.

I would try and help but I can’t understand what you mean because of the accent. :beer3:

[Spinnaker]

I found this place by chance. Like walking into the north end of Boston.
Fantastic. Moschellas Italian Eatery and Market
Wesley Chapel Fl.
Worth the drive.

[MaryEllenOrt]

Figure this is a good place to find all sorts of info. Be moving there soon.

Anyhow, as anyone from Boston/North Shore can attest, we are snobs on pizza, roast beef sandwiches and even Chinese food. Heck when I moved closer to Worcester I couldn't even find good Chinese nor roast beef.

So what I'm looking for is roast beef like Kelly's. Warm beef slices on a sesame or onion roll, American cheese, and bbq sauce.

Pizza, needs to be Italian style, not Greek. God I'd kill for a Santarpios pizza. But heck even Papa Ginos is acceptable.

Chinese, well if you are from the North Shore, you know Kowloon style. That's what I'd be looking for.

Please no haters. If you want to tell me to stay in Massachusetts, just move along. This is for fun and to hear what there is for fast casual stuff around the Villages.
No 1 Chinese in Traverse Plaza is very good, tried Roberto’s for pizza but wouldn’t go back. Any ethnic food is not going to compare to up north. Forget about bread- crusts don’t exist. We’re from Long Island and my husband went to school in Cambridge and lived in Boston for a few years. You won’t find pizza anywhere that is close to what you’d like. If you like Japanese, the restaurant next to the movie theater in Lake Sumter is good- tried both sushi and hibachi- can recommend both and happy hour has 2 for 1 domestic beer, wine but Japanese beer is not part of happy hour.

[Dotneko]

I think you should mention that the Seafood Shack in Leesburg is a dump where you can't even get a drink. And, they have no place to sit until your name is called, and then you need to pay when you order. No thank you.

Huh. We have always sat at a table inside waiting for our food that is delivered to our table. I dont drink liquor, so I never judge an eatery by that. Now, you want to talk dumps, ever been to O'shucks? That place is disgusting.
Many New England seafood shacks dont have liquor licenses. Or interior tables for that matter.

[ThirdOfFive]

Figure this is a good place to find all sorts of info. Be moving there soo
Anyhow, as anyone from Boston/North Shore can attest, we are snobs on pizza, roast beef sandwiches and even Chinese food. Heck when I moved closer to Worcester I couldn't even find good Chinese nor roast beef.

So what I'm looking for is roast beef like Kelly's. Warm beef slices on a sesame or onion roll, American cheese, and bbq sauce.

Pizza, needs to be Italian style, not Greek. God I'd kill for a Santarpios pizza. But heck even Papa Ginos is acceptable.

Chinese, well if you are from the North Shore, you know Kowloon style. That's what I'd be looking for.

Please no haters. If you want to tell me to stay in Massachusetts, just move along. This is for fun and to hear what there is for fast casual stuff around the Villages.
The Villages has just about everything one could want, with two glaring exceptions: 1) medical care, and 2) dining options. That isn't to say that we don't have excellent representation for both, because we do. You just have to seek them out.

We have pizza places; however not being a connoisueur of pizza (some folks around here are) nor ever having been to Boston or the "North Shore", I couldn't tell you if anything around here serves up competent pizzas such as you are referring to. There are a lot of of pizza restaurants in or near TV though so you might find something to your liking.

Chinese? Sort of a black hole around here. There are a few (takeout, mainly, in my experience) but recent health-department issues with at least one Chinese joint leads me to shy away from all of them. Some people have had good experiences with Chinese food in nearby towns: I'd listen to them. We do have other Asian offerings (Thai Ruby at Lake Sumter Landing, for example, which on a scale of 1 to 10 is about a 6 in my opinion).

Roast beef sandwiches like the ones you describe? Some restaurants have something similar on their menu: Lopez Legacy restaurant for example has the following on their menu:

French Dip
Shaved Beef, Topped with Swiss Cheese on a Freshly Baked Hoagie Roll, Paired with Au Jus
$14.99

...which sounds similar. I don't know if they use American cheese or not, but if they have it I'm sure they'll substitute it for the Swiss. Don't know if this is what you have in mind or not, but I've had it, and it is very good.

Food in TV, in my opinion. is best when one goes to restaurants who serve food that is in large part locally sourced. Lots of seafood places around here (Bonefish Grill, Bluefin) as well as a new one, Coastal Del Mar at Spanish Springs, that is very good though with a rather limited menu. However you're never farther away from the ocean than about an hour drive and there are many seafood joints in those areas. One in particular, Seafood Sellers in Homosassa, straight west from TV about five minutes from the Gulf of Mexico, is excellent, serving seafood that is locally sourced and very fresh, as in "just caught" in many cases.

TV also has some excellent Mexican restaurants if that is your thing: A new one opened not long ago in Spanish Springs, Ay Jalisco, which after talking to friends sounds pretty good. Another one I'd recommend (Cuban, not Mexican) is Villa Pinar Cuban Cafeteria, a little mom-and-pop place on the northern end of TV. I haven't eaten there in some time but I doubt it is any different today than it was (say) six months ago. It is family-run and is open some odd hours but it is inexpensive, large servings of authentic Cuban cuisine, and friendly. It is a cafeteria; small with several tables that accommodate large(r) numbers of people. Lots of locals eat there. Though for some reason it isn't on their menu, a popular item is a small buffet, served by their workers, that includes for want of a better word braised pork shoulder as well as other meats, black beans and rice, and fried plantains. It is a lot of food for not much money and is very good. Incidentally they also have a large pizza menu that you might want to check out.

Anyway, for what it is worth, that has been my experience here. But there are a lot of other options and I've sampled mainly a quarter of what is offered around here in the way of restaurants, if that.

Good luck, and (in advance) welcome!

[midiwiz]

We have been coming to TV since 2007

Pizza…..Sammy’s on 301..good but better than OK we also have chains so your pick

Beef.. nothing special

Chinese…learn to make your own…but if you can adapt we do have couple of Vietnamese restaurants

So the places you are looking for Sadly No…No..and hell No


Why is it that everyone relocating here thinks that what they currently have is offered up down here????? This is Florida, it isn't NY, Mass, NJ PA etc. DO NOT expect anything you have been living with to be here - this is NOT a replication factory. It took years to find stuff for us that would replace things we like, and now being in TV it's even worse. The middle of Florida is nothing but blah, it's cracker heaven which actually is better than beach side.

Borrom line don't expect anything and you'll be happier.

[Mrfriendly]

Figure this is a good place to find all sorts of info. Be moving there soon.

Anyhow, as anyone from Boston/North Shore can attest, we are snobs on pizza, roast beef sandwiches and even Chinese food. Heck when I moved closer to Worcester I couldn't even find good Chinese nor roast beef.

So what I'm looking for is roast beef like Kelly's. Warm beef slices on a sesame or onion roll, American cheese, and bbq sauce.

Pizza, needs to be Italian style, not Greek. God I'd kill for a Santarpios pizza. But heck even Papa Ginos is acceptable.

Chinese, well if you are from the North Shore, you know Kowloon style. That's what I'd be looking for.

Please no haters. If you want to tell me to stay in Massachusetts, just move along. This is for fun and to hear what there is for fast casual stuff around the Villages.

Is the No Name still up there on the warf? Great times back in the 70s

[Pamelah]

Nothing like that here. Seafood kinda terrible. But the sun shines every day!!!!
For Floridians who ate fresh fish (cod, haddock) in Massachusetts they’d probably taste it and say,
“ What the h—-?”

[coconutmama]

Sorry, but you move here for the sun and warm winters, definitely not the food. No Bianci's for pizza, Bill&Bob's for roast beef, The New Deal for subs, or The Clam Box for fried clams. A few places we've have found that almost make the grade: The Essex House for New England style seafood, Big Bobs for Italian, Brooklyn Bagel for bagels and deli, these are all tried and true. Unfortunately, I can't recommend any Chinese yet. But fortunately, I'm a snowbird, so I think I'll go to Gourmet Garden for lunch today. Good Luck

The Clam Box! Is it still there? Wow. Brings back great memories. Place an order for me! Enjoy.

[ThirdOfFive]

Why is it that everyone relocating here thinks that what they currently have is offered up down here????? This is Florida, it isn't NY, Mass, NJ PA etc. DO NOT expect anything you have been living with to be here - this is NOT a replication factory. It took years to find stuff for us that would replace things we like, and now being in TV it's even worse. The middle of Florida is nothing but blah, it's cracker heaven which actually is better than beach side.

Borrom line don't expect anything and you'll be happier.
EXCELLENT point. The best food is always what we grew up on, be that the type of Pizza served in Boston or the PoBoys, crawdad boils or the ubiquitous hushpuppies so common in the South. But this is a different area and in many respects a different culture than the ones we came from.

Part of the allure of TV (and Florida in general) is that it is so different in most respects from where many of us came from. Vive la difference!, as they say. If food was of paramount importance to me I would have stayed in Minnesota and eaten fried Walleye, headcheese, and Polska Kielbasa, none of which is widely available down here. But I didn't.

[Marmaduke]

To the OP: the real deal, the "true story" is - The Villages lacks diversity in food, because The Villages is low on diversity in residents. It's predominately white, almost all English-as-First-Language, predominately "somewhere other than the cultural and ethnic diversity of the Northeastern/New England states." This is Vanilla country. If you want diversity in food, you need to go some place where they have diverse people.
To the Original OP: You may miss Boston, but we have our Daily Dose of Cliff Claven. Bless 'er Heart!

[Causey]

So many complaints, it gets old. I lived just outside of Boston for 60 years, there are crappy restaurants everywhere, even in the North End. I rarely have found a restaurant anywhere, that consistently cooks better than I do. I am in Vermont right now, you will hear that many restaurants are "chef owned" and "farm to table". Give me a break, not a good restaurant for 50 miles, and when you do find one, they are out of business in 2 years, because they don't know how to run a "business". I would bet, 99% of the food critics here can't even make good toast.
Stop living in the past, there are good restaurants here, just venture out and find the ones you like.
Stop listening to people that complain about everything.

[retiredguy123]

Huh. We have always sat at a table inside waiting for our food that is delivered to our table. I dont drink liquor, so I never judge an eatery by that. Now, you want to talk dumps, ever been to O'shucks? That place is disgusting.
Many New England seafood shacks dont have liquor licenses. Or interior tables for that matter.
The only time I was there, people had to sit in small chairs near the front door, or stand outside, until their name was called. Then, you had to go to the register, order your food, and pay for it before you were seated at a table. The place is very small, with no atmosphere, and there is no alcohol, which many people expect at a restaurant where dinner is served. I am just providing the actual facts so people can decide if they want to make the drive to Leesburg, which is a 30 minute drive from Sumter Landing. I didn't order the lobster, but I thought the fried food was mediocre, and the service was also mediocre.

[sharonl7340]

Wow! Bet you wouldn't know a good BBQ if it bit you. That was harsh!

[sharonl7340]

There is no comparison, unfortunately. Most Villagers are from somewhere other than Mass/RI/NYC/NJ/CT. That means their taste buds are totally not - ours. Most of them wouldn't know a decent Lobster Cantonese if it smacked them up'side the head. And pizza? Fuggedaboudit. The nearest Indian Restaurant is over a half hour away. Roast beef - there are choices, but none as good as up north where people have experience in quality.

You can't even buy decent pastrami by the pound at a deli up here and make your own grilled pastrami and swiss on rye. It's all ultra-lean, which means mostly flavorless and chewy.
Wow! Bet you wouldn't know a good BBQ if it bit you. That was harsh!

[TVTVTV]

Huh. We have always sat at a table inside waiting for our food that is delivered to our table. I dont drink liquor, so I never judge an eatery by that. Now, you want to talk dumps, ever been to O'shucks? That place is disgusting.
Many New England seafood shacks dont have liquor licenses. Or interior tables for that matter.

Remember to check restaurant inspections before patronizing establishments. Amazing what findings you will see - why invite sickness for some taste. O'Shucks had "only" 4 violations, Leesburg Seafood had 5. Restaurant looks and atmosphere are not everything, whether expensive or cheap. Judge by violations as well, especially if you are new to the area.

[frayedends]

Remember to check restaurant inspections before patronizing establishments. Amazing what findings you will see - why invite sickness for some taste. O'Shucks had "only" 4 violations, Leesburg Seafood had 5. Restaurant looks and atmosphere are not everything, whether expensive or cheap. Judge by violations as well, especially if you are new to the area.

Any link to where to find the inspections?

[frayedends]

I can appreciate all these posts. Also like that people are offering suggestions on what is good in Florida. I'm sure I'll find plenty to enjoy and save the Boston food for when I get to Boston.

[Stu from NYC]

There's no point in buying pastrami at all if you can't bring it home and grill the slices with swiss cheese on toasted rye, some raw red onion and for people who require condiments - Gulden's mustard.

One simply does not consume cold pastrami. It is sacrilegious, and borders on heresy.

Speaking of heresy, pastrami with swiss cheese? Yuck!

Sorry but no Jewish person that we know would even think that is a good idea.

Pastrami goes with mustard and a sour pickle, perhaps with a knish or fries.

[LuvNH]

In my opinion, we are ALL making a mistake on this thread. We are saying FOOD in Florida, whereas we should be saying FOOD in The Villages. There are many great places to eat really good food in Florida, but not in The Villages.

Start going down the Gulf .... Tarpon Springs, Clearwater, Reddington Shores, Naples Miami and the best food for us ... Key West. There is great food in Florida, just not in TV.

But, TV is affordable, safe, lifestyle, doctors, golf carts, etc. etc. And, the tropical fruit, veg, deli meats, Publix bread and Amazon delivery is all good.

[maistocars]

Pizza - only choice and I mean ONLY as I've tried them all is Piesano's thin crust - almost reminds me of NY.

[maistocars]

After Piesano's for pizza, forgot to mention we have our Italian sausage mail ordered from NY - excellent and very reasonable shipping. Also, mail order our bagels and chocolate sprinkles. DM me if you want info on sausage place.

[Dotneko]

Pizza - only choice and I mean ONLY as I've tried them all is Piesano's thin crust - almost reminds me of NY.

Ugh. Just no. I gave them 3! tries. Just soggy, lousy dough.

[msilagy]

Sorry to tell you this but you will be very disappointed in the food in the Villages. Run of the mill stuff, nothing close to being original or special. Pizza that sways in the wind most of the time, wings sprayed with whatever flavor you order, no charbroiled 1/2# burgers, average fish when you realize that they think Bonefish is the end all, Chinese is average a couple of good spots. Italian well there some ok places. Coming from the Chicago area it's a disappointment overall. Hope you prove me wrong!

[retiredguy123]

Ugh. Just no. I gave them 3! tries. Just soggy, lousy dough.
I like Piesano's thin crust pizza because it doesn't have too much cheese. Also, their recipe is very consistent. Many of the places I go for pizza puts way too much cheese on their pizza, and sometimes, you can barely find any sauce at all. Also, they apparently do not have a recipe, so the pizza you get depends on the person who makes it. Some people who make the pizza think that everyone likes extra cheese on their pizza. In my opinion, a pizza should be made the same way every time, and it should have a good mix of both sauce and cheese. Where would you suggest for a decent, consistent pizza?

[Regorp]

Figure this is a good place to find all sorts of info. Be moving there soon.

Anyhow, as anyone from Boston/North Shore can attest, we are snobs on pizza, roast beef sandwiches and even Chinese food. Heck when I moved closer to Worcester I couldn't even find good Chinese nor roast beef.

So what I'm looking for is roast beef like Kelly's. Warm beef slices on a sesame or onion roll, American cheese, and bbq sauce.

Pizza, needs to be Italian style, not Greek. God I'd kill for a Santarpios pizza. But heck even Papa Ginos is acceptable.

Chinese, well if you are from the North Shore, you know Kowloon style. That's what I'd be looking for.

Please no haters. If you want to tell me to stay in Massachusetts, just move along. This is for fun and to hear what there is for fast casual stuff around the Villages.

We love Paisanos Pizza on 44.

[MJY10101]

GOOD LUCK! We’re from Connecticut and been here for 6 years. We’ve not found any good Pizza, Roast Beef (like Kelly’s) or anything resembling good Chinese Food. Additionally, the bagels are awful although you can get a six pack at BJ’s that are made in Boston.

[kingofbeer]

With all due respect, never heard of Mass style pizza. Nor I have seen it advertised in Florida or anywhere else in the world. "We serve Massachussets Style Pizza". New Haven pizza is the best IMHO.

[BostonRich]

When I got a white slimy sauce on my Shrimps with Lobster sauce down here, I knew I was in trouble. Oh, for Kowloon's Shrimp with Lobster Sauce . . .

Forget about good Chinese food. It doesn't exist. In fact the last time we got Chinese food from #1, which was one of the best we have found, I said to my wife, "next time we are going to Panda Express". That is sacrilegious up north but at least it is consistently okay down here.

Pizza . . . Belleview Pizza. Best we have found and their other Italian food is very good. Cash only and opens at 3 PM. BOGO pasta meals 3 PM - 5 PM (I think that's the times). Get the large and bring home half for tomorrow. Super thick Sicilian from NYPD is good if you go that way. And for a quick surprisingly tasty option, Hungry Howies (next to Winn Dixie in LA Plaza Grande South) with garlic crust may help with any needs.

Seafood - Dan's Clam Stand, Crystal River + Lena's Seafood, Silver Springs + Essex Seafood House, Pierson . . . . all owned by real New Englanders and as close to clam shacks back home as you can get. All worth the trip. A much closer option, and a real dive, is Oh Shucks in Wildwood. After a few $1 drafts everything will taste good, but they have good fried and raw oysters if you like that and also good haddock and sea scallops. Sam St. John's Seafood in Summerfield isn't all that great but on Fridays they have fresh fried clams from the Ipswich. It is a secret menu item and you have to ask for them.

So you are going to be disappointed with the food, but remember we have happy hours and the multiple drinks will really help you adjust.

Now for something completely different, adjust your taste buds and think BBQ and head over to County Line Smokehouse in Weirsdale on route 25 and indulge in the best BBQ around. It's also a bit on the divy side but the food is made from scratch and fantastic.

[BostonRich]

After Piesano's for pizza, forgot to mention we have our Italian sausage mail ordered from NY - excellent and very reasonable shipping. Also, mail order our bagels and chocolate sprinkles. DM me if you want info on sausage place.

Spinkles? Really? You mean Jimmies don't you?

[retiredguy123]

When I got a white slimy sauce on my Shrimps with Lobster sauce down here, I knew I was in trouble. Oh, for Kowloon's Shrimp with Lobster Sauce . . .

Forget about good Chinese food. It doesn't exist. In fact the last time we got Chinese food from #1, which was one of the best we have found, I said to my wife, "next time we are going to Panda Express". That is sacrilegious up north but at least it is consistently okay down here.

Pizza . . . Belleview Pizza. Best we have found and their other Italian food is very good. Cash only and opens at 3 PM. BOGO pasta meals 3 PM - 5 PM (I think that's the times). Get the large and bring home half for tomorrow. Super thick Sicilian from NYPD is good if you go that way. And for a quick surprisingly tasty option, Hungry Howies (next to Winn Dixie in LA Plaza Grande South) with garlic crust may help with any needs.

Seafood - Dan's Clam Stand, Crystal River + Lena's Seafood, Silver Springs + Essex Seafood House, Pierson . . . . all owned by real New Englanders and as close to clam shacks back home as you can get. All worth the trip. A much closer option, and a real dive, is Oh Shucks in Wildwood. After a few $1 drafts everything will taste good, but they have good fried and raw oysters if you like that and also good haddock and sea scallops. Sam St. John's Seafood in Summerfield isn't all that great but on Fridays they have fresh fried clams from the Ipswich. It is a secret menu item and you have to ask for them.

So you are going to be disappointed with the food, but remember we have happy hours and the multiple drinks will really help you adjust.

Now for something completely different, adjust your taste buds and think BBQ and head over to County Line Smokehouse in Weirsdale on route 25 and indulge in the best BBQ around. It's also a bit on the divy side but the food is made from scratch and fantastic.
Note that Sam St. John's is no longer in business.

[cphubbell@aol.com]

Welcome in advance. We are here three years from Westborough. We have not found the ethnic foods to be the same here as has been said.
We have found that the Chop House is exactly the same as the one in Worcester , that Jersey Mikes subs are very good, that Bravo Pizza is the closest with Flippers a close second, that Dans Clam Stand in the town of Crystal River is worth the short drive. We have not found Chinese yet, in MA the staff was bused in from Boston to our local places but even with several in town we would enjoy one and not the other. We like Greek food in Ocala at Lakis but going to Tarpon Springs for the pastry is outstanding. The Crepevine in Altamonte Springs is storefront but a different menu spot.
Go outside of the Villages and be a tourist and enjoy. The Villages has a Baystaters Club you should look into .

[frayedends]

With all due respect, never heard of Mass style pizza. Nor I have seen it advertised in Florida or anywhere else in the world. "We serve Massachussets Style Pizza". New Haven pizza is the best IMHO.

What perhaps I would refer to as North End pizza. But I don't think I said Mass style. I said Italian style. Just differentiating the crust mostly. Thin Italian crust.

Trying to add pics but not sure how on here. Unless I'm too new for that. But if this works, here's good pizza...

https://i.imgur.com/8LSz1kG.jpg

[LuvNH]

Welcome in advance. We are here three years from Westborough. We have not found the ethnic foods to be the same here as has been said.
We have found that the Chop House is exactly the same as the one in Worcester , that Jersey Mikes subs are very good, that Bravo Pizza is the closest with Flippers a close second, that Dans Clam Stand in the town of Crystal River is worth the short drive. We have not found Chinese yet, in MA the staff was bused in from Boston to our local places but even with several in town we would enjoy one and not the other. We like Greek food in Ocala at Lakis but going to Tarpon Springs for the pastry is outstanding. The Crepevine in Altamonte Springs is storefront but a different menu spot.
Go outside of the Villages and be a tourist and enjoy. The Villages has a Baystaters Club you should look into .

Tarpon Springs is under estimated. If you like authentic Greek food you will love Tarpon Springs. Their shrimp, Greek Salads, Lamb is excellent, but go before the winter people arrive.

[Dotneko]

I like Piesano's thin crust pizza because it doesn't have too much cheese. Also, their recipe is very consistent. Many of the places I go for pizza puts way too much cheese on their pizza, and sometimes, you can barely find any sauce at all. Also, they apparently do not have a recipe, so the pizza you get depends on the person who makes it. Some people who make the pizza think that everyone likes extra cheese on their pizza. In my opinion, a pizza should be made the same way every time, and it should have a good mix of both sauce and cheese. Where would you suggest for a decent, consistent pizza?

havent found it yet. Brooklyn Pizza in Leesburg, Bravos in Lake Sumter, Robertos thin crust in Pinellas are sometimes good lol. Hit or miss imo.

[Pgcacace]

Ichiban is a good Chinese and Japanese buffet in Leesburg. Go there hungry!

[bsloan1960]

I agree that we were spoiled in Mass. with great Chinese food. Kung Fu Chef on 466 is good enough that we will return. It was recently cited for violations by the food inspector (so was one of the country clubs). I'll wait a while for them to get their act together and visit them again. BTW: This area seems to have a food inspector who really stays on top of things- there are restaurants cited nearly every week.

[Dotneko]

Tarpon Springs is under estimated. If you like authentic Greek food you will love Tarpon Springs. Their shrimp, Greek Salads, Lamb is excellent, but go before the winter people arrive.

Yes to Tarpon Springs (though with the flooding, perhaps wait a bit).
Hellas lamb, riblets, pastitsio are all good. Greek country salad - no lettuce. Some of the pastry - koulourakia, kourambiethes, baklava are good. The cream stuff isnt imo. The bread we got last time had odd hard bits in it. Threw it out. Sadly it was slated for french toast, too.
Takis is a poor relation. My stuff is much better lol.

[Stu from NYC]

Ichiban is a good Chinese and Japanese buffet in Leesburg. Go there hungry!

Ichiban for down here is good but not like what we had back in the old country

[rrdsg]

My exact same experience with shrimp with lobster sauce. ONLY place I ever has it done well was Boston Chinatown. After many raves on this site for the newish Chinese restaurant Kung Fu Chef, we tried it and actually liked the food. Didn't even have lobster sauce on the menu. HOWEVER, we surely won't go back after reading this: https://www.**************.com/2023/08/22/inspector-finds-numerous-violations-at-asian-restaurant-in-the-villages/ It's enough to give you pause about a lot of Chinese restaurants.

[frayedends]

My exact same experience with shrimp with lobster sauce. ONLY place I ever has it done well was Boston Chinatown. After many raves on this site for the newish Chinese restaurant Kung Fu Chef, we tried it and actually liked the food. Didn't even have lobster sauce on the menu. HOWEVER, we surely won't go back after reading this: https://www.**************.com/2023/08/22/inspector-finds-numerous-violations-at-asian-restaurant-in-the-villages/ It's enough to give you pause about a lot of Chinese restaurants.

The link has a bunch of **** in it and doesn't work for me. Is this just on my end or some forum thing?

Also if anyone has a tip on posting pics I'd be thankful. I tried from my imgur account but it's blank when I post.

[Michael 61]

I agree that we were spoiled in Mass. with great Chinese food. Kung Fu Chef on 466 is good enough that we will return. It was recently cited for violations by the food inspector (so was one of the country clubs). I'll wait a while for them to get their act together and visit them again. BTW: This area seems to have a food inspector who really stays on top of things- there are restaurants cited nearly every week.

After singing Kung Fu’s praises, I’m second guessing them now, based on their write-up by the health dept.

[BostonRich]

Some places here have good Italian bread, buy some and make your own hero.

Oh Scali!!! Please.

Believe it or not, Walmart had the closest thing to Scali bread we could find down here. They labeled it Italian Sesame Loaf or something like that. Of course they discontinued it.

[jmpalladino]

Figure this is a good place to find all sorts of info. Be moving there soon.

Anyhow, as anyone from Boston/North Shore can attest, we are snobs on pizza, roast beef sandwiches and even Chinese food. Heck when I moved closer to Worcester I couldn't even find good Chinese nor roast beef.

So what I'm looking for is roast beef like Kelly's. Warm beef slices on a sesame or onion roll, American cheese, and bbq sauce.

Pizza, needs to be Italian style, not Greek. God I'd kill for a Santarpios pizza. But heck even Papa Ginos is acceptable.

Chinese, well if you are from the North Shore, you know Kowloon style. That's what I'd be looking for.

Please no haters. If you want to tell me to stay in Massachusetts, just move along. This is for fun and to hear what there is for fast casual stuff around the Villages.

So you might as well not move here since you indicated you were snobs with regards to Pizza, Roast Beef, and Chinese food since you will find nothing that pales to Boston.

[frayedends]

So you might as well not move here since you indicated you were snobs with regards to Pizza, Roast Beef, and Chinese food since you will find nothing that pales to Boston.

Good grief. Really? Or did I miss your sarcasm emoji?

[manaboutown]

Figure this is a good place to find all sorts of info. Be moving there soon.

Anyhow, as anyone from Boston/North Shore can attest, we are snobs on pizza, roast beef sandwiches and even Chinese food. Heck when I moved closer to Worcester I couldn't even find good Chinese nor roast beef.

So what I'm looking for is roast beef like Kelly's. Warm beef slices on a sesame or onion roll, American cheese, and bbq sauce.

Pizza, needs to be Italian style, not Greek. God I'd kill for a Santarpios pizza. But heck even Papa Ginos is acceptable.

Chinese, well if you are from the North Shore, you know Kowloon style. That's what I'd be looking for.

Please no haters. If you want to tell me to stay in Massachusetts, just move along. This is for fun and to hear what there is for fast casual stuff around the Villages.

Never heard of "Kowloon style" Chinese food. I wonder what it is like. Would it fit into any of these categories? The Eight Culinary Cuisine Traditions of China (https://hakkasan.com/stories/eight-culinary-traditions-china/#:~:text=These%20eight%20culinary%20cuisines%20are ,%2C%20Shandong%2C%20Szechuan%20and%20Zhejiang).

[frayedends]

Never heard of "Kowloon style" Chinese food. I wonder what it is like. Would it fit into any of these categories? The Eight Culinary Cuisine Traditions of China (https://hakkasan.com/stories/eight-culinary-traditions-china/#:~:text=These%20eight%20culinary%20cuisines%20are ,%2C%20Shandong%2C%20Szechuan%20and%20Zhejiang).

It's just a very popular restaurant in the North Shore area of Massachusetts. Not really a style. But most folks from the area know it.
https://i.imgur.com/yh29EaE.jpg

[frayedends]

Welcome in advance. We are here three years from Westborough. .

For Chinese, Cheng Du on Route 9 in Westborough is the style I like. They were pretty good, although hit or miss on if it was very fresh.

[manaboutown]

it's just a very popular restaurant in the north shore area of massachusetts. Not really a style. But most folks from the area know it.
https://i.imgur.com/yh29eae.jpg

yum!!!

[BlkBlt6]

Figure this is a good place to find all sorts of info. Be moving there soon.

Anyhow, as anyone from Boston/North Shore can attest, we are snobs on pizza, roast beef sandwiches and even Chinese food. Heck when I moved closer to Worcester I couldn't even find good Chinese nor roast beef.

So what I'm looking for is roast beef like Kelly's. Warm beef slices on a sesame or onion roll, American cheese, and bbq sauce.

Pizza, needs to be Italian style, not Greek. God I'd kill for a Santarpios pizza. But heck even Papa Ginos is acceptable.

Chinese, well if you are from the North Shore, you know Kowloon style. That's what I'd be looking for.

Please no haters. If you want to tell me to stay in Massachusetts, just move along. This is for fun and to hear what there is for fast casual stuff around the Villages.

I’m from Chicago and like you, we have the best Italian, Chinese, Polish, etc. We were so lucky have have experienced such incredible food. I must say that so many people have experienced great food from all parts of the country but of course I’m still in love with Chicago food. OK but ya sure can’t beat the weather or the people in the Villages. I love it!

[Stu from NYC]

Oh Scali!!! Please.

Believe it or not, Walmart had the closest thing to Scali bread we could find down here. They labeled it Italian Sesame Loaf or something like that. Of course they discontinued it.

Do not think that anyone who works at a Walmart has a clue as to what a nice crusty bread tastes like.

[jimjamuser]

Figure this is a good place to find all sorts of info. Be moving there soon.

Anyhow, as anyone from Boston/North Shore can attest, we are snobs on pizza, roast beef sandwiches and even Chinese food. Heck when I moved closer to Worcester I couldn't even find good Chinese nor roast beef.

So what I'm looking for is roast beef like Kelly's. Warm beef slices on a sesame or onion roll, American cheese, and bbq sauce.

Pizza, needs to be Italian style, not Greek. God I'd kill for a Santarpios pizza. But heck even Papa Ginos is acceptable.

Chinese, well if you are from the North Shore, you know Kowloon style. That's what I'd be looking for.

Please no haters. If you want to tell me to stay in Massachusetts, just move along. This is for fun and to hear what there is for fast casual stuff around the Villages.
I have lived in The Villages (aka la, la, land) for 12 years and will NOT tell you to stay in MA. And I mostly eat at home because for 3 years I avoided being indoors with a crowd of people due to COVID. Now I understand that the _ _ IT is still going around. So, to be helpful (to you) I would suggest a city to visit for restaurants and culture that is about 1 plus hours drive away----------Tarpon Springs. If you Google it you will find a rich history of Greek sponge divers (still an industry). For 30 years sponge harvesting was Florida's biggest industry (bigger than citrus or tourism). In 1940 there was a sponge blight, but today Tarpon Springs is one of the world's largest natural sponge producers.
.........The Greek influence means that today there are great Greek restaurants in the area. Lots of great-tasting fish like mullet and swordfish and whatever are available. Several years ago I spent an enjoyable day there and ate at a wonderful restaurant.

[frayedends]

I have lived in The Villages (aka la, la, land) for 12 years and will NOT tell you to stay in MA. And I mostly eat at home because for 3 years I avoided being indoors with a crowd of people due to COVID. Now I understand that the _ _ IT is still going around. So, to be helpful (to you) I would suggest a city to visit for restaurants and culture that is about 1 plus hours drive away----------Tarpon Springs. If you Google it you will find a rich history of Greek sponge divers (still an industry). For 30 years sponge harvesting was Florida's biggest industry (bigger than citrus or tourism). In 1940 there was a sponge blight, but today Tarpon Springs is one of the world's largest natural sponge producers.
.........The Greek influence means that today there are great Greek restaurants in the area. Lots of great-tasting fish like mullet and swordfish and whatever are available. Several years ago I spent an enjoyable day there and ate at a wonderful restaurant.

Thanks! I will definitely check out the area. Love Greek food too!

[jimjamuser]

There is no comparison, unfortunately. Most Villagers are from somewhere other than Mass/RI/NYC/NJ/CT. That means their taste buds are totally not - ours. Most of them wouldn't know a decent Lobster Cantonese if it smacked them up'side the head. And pizza? Fuggedaboudit. The nearest Indian Restaurant is over a half hour away. Roast beef - there are choices, but none as good as up north where people have experience in quality.

You can't even buy decent pastrami by the pound at a deli up here and make your own grilled pastrami and swiss on rye. It's all ultra-lean, which means mostly flavorless and chewy.
I would think that "ultra-lean" would mean max protein and minimum fat, which would be best for a diet. Interestingly, we would all agree that fat means flavor in terms of meat products. Beef cattle get fattened before slaughter to max out the fat and taste. Bacon is extremely tasty. Like a toasted bacon and cheese sandwich. We could agree that many things that taste good are bad for you----- health-wise.
........But, I also think that people who live up north where it is colder can keep their weight down and be healthier while still eating more calories than their southern cousins. If you are extremely active in cold weather, you can consume bacon (which is delicious) for breakfast often. Also when you are younger you can throw off those calories from fat better. And being younger, your taste buds are more sensitive so the consumption of bacon fat is a super treat.
........As people age, some / many find weight to be a problem, so they need to FORGO taste sometimes for health. Personally, I have not eaten BACON (even though it tastes great) in about 10 years. Same thing for ice cream - too much fat, BUT great taste. I made the switch to frozen yogurt.
........I am just saying that with respect to food and restaurants, when I lived up north (Pittsburgh) and was younger, I would indulge myself more and eat more fat (for taste). Then as I moved to Florida and aged and my taste buds lost their sensitivity, I found that, personally, restaurants were a waste of time and money for me. I have developed other hobbies and interests. If there were ZERO restaurants in The Villages, I would NOT be negatively affected. But, I understand the statement, "different strokes for different Villagers". Just don't get me started on GOLF!!!

[lindaelane]

This is not hate. - you said please no haters. Have you visited? If not then you are unaware. We just do not have really good places to eat here. They are not what you would get in a big city. Plenty are OK, but I'm a bit worried since you have high standards. This is love - please visit first and see if you want to live here despite our restaurants. Thanks.

There are some more acceptable places in Ocala if you want to live in the far north Villages and drive 20 miles north. Brazillian steak house, La Cuisine French, a tiny family run but delicious Korean, and an authentic Latin American food restaurant. None are like what you would find in Boston, however.

[frayedends]

I would think that "ultra-lean" would mean max protein and minimum fat, which would be best for a diet.


Not to digress too much but completely disagree with this. I lost 30 lbs on keto, lots of fat, lots of flavor. No carbs. My blood pressure improved, my pre-diabetes went away, my cholesterol improved. So I'll take a double bacon cheeseburger please, hold the bun. :D

[frayedends]

This is not hate. - you said please no haters. Have you visited? If not then you are unaware. We just do not have really good places to eat here. They are not what you would get in a big city. Plenty are OK, but I'm a bit worried since you have high standards. This is love - please visit first and see if you want to live here despite our restaurants. Thanks.

There are some more acceptable places in Ocala if you want to live in the far north Villages and drive 20 miles north. Brazillian steak house, La Cuisine French, a tiny family run but delicious Korean, and an authentic Latin American food restaurant. None are like what you would find in Boston, however.

Visited twice, absolutely want to move there. Bought a house. My point in my first post, about this being for fun, is the food isn't a deal breaker. We found plenty of decent food just in a few of the squares. We didn't even begin to have enough time to explore outside the bubble. I'm just asking what may be there that's similar to what I like. But again, not a deal breaker at all.

[BostonRich]

It's just a very popular restaurant in the North Shore area of Massachusetts. Not really a style. But most folks from the area know it.
https://i.imgur.com/yh29EaE.jpg

OMG . . . a real PU PU PLATTER!!! Add a Scorpion Bowl and I'm in heaven :)

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Speaking of heresy, pastrami with swiss cheese? Yuck!

Sorry but no Jewish person that we know would even think that is a good idea.

Pastrami goes with mustard and a sour pickle, perhaps with a knish or fries.

My grandfather, who was brought up in a strictly kosher house by his own Orthodox family, would take me for "Pastrami specials" at lunchtime across the street from his office every month. Finger-drip-greasy crispy-edged grilled pastrami, with swiss oozing out from under crunchy grilled rye with spikes of raw red onion sticking out the sides. He and my grandmother kept a kosher home but they were Conservative, and would "cheat" when they weren't in the house. Grandma loved hot lobster rolls.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

After Piesano's for pizza, forgot to mention we have our Italian sausage mail ordered from NY - excellent and very reasonable shipping. Also, mail order our bagels and chocolate sprinkles. DM me if you want info on sausage place.

You can get Perri sausage at Publix. Perri is a New Haven company, I temped there doing payroll for a couple of months. My office window looked out onto the floor where they ground the meat and stuffed/cut the casings. Really good sausage, I use it to make my sauce and lasagna.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

With all due respect, never heard of Mass style pizza. Nor I have seen it advertised in Florida or anywhere else in the world. "We serve Massachussets Style Pizza". New Haven pizza is the best IMHO.

It's North End style pizza. Massachusetts doesn't have a "state-specific" style, but the North End of Boston does. It's a round, hand-tossed crispy crust with an even (but generous) amount of simple sauce of tomato puree and oregano, fresh shredded mozzarella, a generous pinch of romano sprinkled over the mozz, and a drizzle of olive oil. All toppings are placed evenly over the whole thing, out to just under an inch short of the edge of the pie.

New York style is similar but the crust has different proportions in the ingredients and their crusts are thinner, with the bubbles left intact at the edges.

New Haven style is not perfectly round, has big charred bubbles on the edges, and can be so thin that it falls apart when you try to pick it up.

The sauces for all three are similar, but never exact since REAL pizza doesn't get sauce from a jar, it gets it from a stew pot.

And yes - New Haven 'za is the best.

[wamley]

Piesanos is the best (for the villages) Bravo is good in Supter landing. We found that the Cinese take out in the Publix shopping Center in Colony Plaza is very good. If your into Mexican in the same Shopping Center Mexican Grill is very good. Don't think you'll ever find ike you had back home. We're from Brooklyn NY and still haven't found anything close to what we had. Pizza is always better in the restaurant then at home after being in a box.

Home Piesano's has all your favorite pizzas and pastas | Piesanos (https://www.piesanostogo.com)

[grumpy@turton.us]

Figure this is a good place to find all sorts of info. Be moving there soon.

Anyhow, as anyone from Boston/North Shore can attest, we are snobs on pizza, roast beef sandwiches and even Chinese food. Heck when I moved closer to Worcester I couldn't even find good Chinese nor roast beef.

So what I'm looking for is roast beef like Kelly's. Warm beef slices on a sesame or onion roll, American cheese, and bbq sauce.

Pizza, needs to be Italian style, not Greek. God I'd kill for a Santarpios pizza. But heck even Papa Ginos is acceptable.

Chinese, well if you are from the North Shore, you know Kowloon style. That's what I'd be looking for.

Please no haters. The food IS NOT A DEAL BREAKER. If you want to tell me to stay in Massachusetts, just move along. This is for fun and to hear what there is for fast casual stuff around the Villages. It does not matter if the food doesn't live up to what I have in Massachusetts. I'm just trying to learn more.
Pizza is hit or miss. Kung Fu has some dishes that are close. Yes they had some inspection violations, but show me a restaurant that has had none.
Kelly’s actually has 2 places way South of here. But nothing of note locally.
Seafood, there is Boston Fish on Aloma in Winter park or during the winter Lena’s (from Salisbury) in the Ocala forest. Both are drives but the real deal in NE Seafood.

[Stu from NYC]

Piesanos is the best (for the villages) Bravo is good in Supter landing. We found that the Cinese take out in the Publix shopping Center in Colony Plaza is very good. If your into Mexican in the same Shopping Center Mexican Grill is very good. Don't think you'll ever find ike you had back home. We're from Brooklyn NY and still haven't found anything close to what we had. Pizza is always better in the restaurant then at home after being in a box.

Home Piesano's has all your favorite pizzas and pastas | Piesanos (https://www.piesanostogo.com)

Think Napolinos is a cut above Piesanos but do agree pizza should be eaten right out of the oven.

[JMintzer]

Please how many Asians do you see here?

I know of several on my street...

But I don't go around counting...

[JMintzer]

It's not even decent "south." I haven't yet seen a smoker with a whole pig in it at any restaurant parking lot down here. Or Creole or Cajun - those are as "south" as it gets. I'm not a food snob. But when I want ethnic food, I want the real deal.

Right... When I think Creole of Cajun, I think "Massachusetts/Boston"...

I'm from the DC area. I've been to "Little Italy" in B'more and Philly, Chinatown in DC. Excellent food.

Some of the best Chinese food I've ever had was in Northern VA... They have a HUGE Asian population.

All "Mid-Atlantic" states...

Is Chicago not "ethically diverse"? How many in TV are from the greater Chicago area?

So spare me the "Only the New England states have the ethnic diversity need for good food...

[JMintzer]

The only time I was there, people had to sit in small chairs near the front door, or stand outside, until their name was called. Then, you had to go to the register, order your food, and pay for it before you were seated at a table. The place is very small, with no atmosphere, and there is no alcohol, which many people expect at a restaurant where dinner is served. I am just providing the actual facts so people can decide if they want to make the drive to Leesburg, which is a 30 minute drive from Sumter Landing. I didn't order the lobster, but I thought the fried food was mediocre, and the service was also mediocre.

O'Shucks has a bar...

[JMintzer]

Speaking of heresy, pastrami with swiss cheese? Yuck!

Sorry but no Jewish person that we know would even think that is a good idea.

Pastrami goes with mustard and a sour pickle, perhaps with a knish or fries.

Well, a Reuben has Swiss cheese and all "Jewish Style" (not Kosher) delis serve them, so...

But "raw red onion"??? What in the holy hell??? It's sauerkraut or nothing!

And she dares talk about "good food"...

[JMintzer]

Pizza - only choice and I mean ONLY as I've tried them all is Piesano's thin crust - almost reminds me of NY.

Agreed. Piesano's thin crust is damn good...

[JMintzer]

Ugh. Just no. I gave them 3! tries. Just soggy, lousy dough.

Eat in or carry out? I've never had a soggy slice there, ever...

[JMintzer]

Sorry to tell you this but you will be very disappointed in the food in the Villages. Run of the mill stuff, nothing close to being original or special. Pizza that sways in the wind most of the time, wings sprayed with whatever flavor you order, no charbroiled 1/2# burgers, average fish when you realize that they think Bonefish is the end all, Chinese is average a couple of good spots. Italian well there some ok places. Coming from the Chicago area it's a disappointment overall. Hope you prove me wrong!

Chicago?

What do you know? Don't you know that the "North End" of Boston is the only place where they know good food? :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:


P.S. I've had some INCREDIBLE meals in Chicago...

[maistocars]

Ugh. Just no. I gave them 3! tries. Just soggy, lousy dough.
you must not have ordered the thin crust? The regular is doughy but not the thin crust - it's perfect.

[maistocars]

Eat in or carry out? I've never had a soggy slice there, ever...
Agreed! Especially the thin crust version!

[NotGolfer]

I can't speak to No. Boston but we've visited Chicago restaurants many times and never had a bad meal. They were high-end restaurants that had signature dishes. There are plenty of "ethnic" places there for sure. On another note...there is a meme on FB that goes something like this...."don't bring your 'there' here when you felt your 'there' was better than 'here'." I can't remember exactly how it goes but it's along those lines. We had that in our former town as well and people didn't take to it as it's so rude and beyond snobby.

[jimjamuser]

Not to digress too much but completely disagree with this. I lost 30 lbs on keto, lots of fat, lots of flavor. No carbs. My blood pressure improved, my pre-diabetes went away, my cholesterol improved. So I'll take a double bacon cheeseburger please, hold the bun. :D
I would disagree with the disagreement, but I am glad that it worked for you. That would be a massive thread subject (diets). Maybe someone will start that someday. Thousands of books have probably been written on that subject.

[frayedends]

I would disagree with the disagreement, but I am glad that it worked for you. That would be a massive thread subject (diets). Maybe someone will start that someday. Thousands of books have probably been written on that subject.

Yeah, we can't argue about diet. After all, this is a Boston vs. Chicago Pizza thread. Wait what? :D.

[laryb]

Our favorite pizza's down here are from Gio's. They'll make them thin for you, or you can get their grandma's pizza, both by the slice or whole pie. I bring our friday golf group there the first Friday of the month and the entire group looks forward to it. We're from Dartmouth, Ma. and while I prefer the food from home and especially Federal Hill in Providence, if you keep an open mind you'll be able to find some decent spots in the area. As far as subs go ('grinders' back home), every Saturday I would order several hundred dollars of them from 2 different shops in Fall River, Marzilli's and Marcucci's, and they would compete as the best in the area. Here's a picture of someone who might recognize ordering 4 grinders at Marzilli's. It's in the middle of the city, so he probably knew about it. By the way, I like the cold subs at Publix when I can get them with balsamic and oil. You might like Mesa de Notte in Ocala.
100015

[Dotneko]

Eat in or carry out? I've never had a soggy slice there, ever...

All 3 times in the restaurant. I even told them the last time to please cook it longer. And it was the thin crust. Nope. Never again. Not wasting any more of my money there.

[Dotneko]

I agree that we were spoiled in Mass. with great Chinese food. Kung Fu Chef on 466 is good enough that we will return. It was recently cited for violations by the food inspector (so was one of the country clubs). I'll wait a while for them to get their act together and visit them again. BTW: This area seems to have a food inspector who really stays on top of things- there are restaurants cited nearly every week.

The difference between here and home is that the restaurants actually get inspected lol. Husband was a plumbing contractor in MA and he says you really dont want to know what goes on in restaurant kitchens.

[Dotneko]

What perhaps I would refer to as North End pizza. But I don't think I said Mass style. I said Italian style. Just differentiating the crust mostly. Thin Italian crust.

Trying to add pics but not sure how on here. Unless I'm too new for that. But if this works, here's good pizza...

https://i.imgur.com/8LSz1kG.jpg

That makes my mouth water!

[frayedends]

Just have to say I’ve always said “subs” and I’ve been in Massachusetts my entire life. Never ever heard anyone say “grinder”. I have seen it on some signs in the metro west area.

Thanks for all the replies everyone! We will have a blast finding new food. We will bitch and moan about the crappy stuff. We are Massholes after all. But we will give props to every good thing we find.

[markusb741]

The Clam Box! Is it still there? Wow. Brings back great memories. Place an order for me! Enjoy.
Yes, it's still there. Still long lines. Still great.

[markusb741]

OMG Bianci's. That was on Revere Beach, no? It's been a while but that's what I'm thinking.

Bianci is still there, same family, still great. I'll probably get a couple of slices and eat them on the beach wall before I return to the Villages in October.

[Rwirish]

Never have been impressed with New England food for the most part. Most of the food is much better here.

Tip, you may want to stay North and enjoy whatever is deemed better.

[Marmaduke]

I like Piesano's thin crust pizza because it doesn't have too much cheese. Also, their recipe is very consistent. Many of the places I go for pizza puts way too much cheese on their pizza, and sometimes, you can barely find any sauce at all. Also, they apparently do not have a recipe, so the pizza you get depends on the person who makes it. Some people who make the pizza think that everyone likes extra cheese on their pizza. In my opinion, a pizza should be made the same way every time, and it should have a good mix of both sauce and cheese. Where would you suggest for a decent, consistent pizza?
Retired Guy We absolutely love 2 places outside of TV.
Both are nice, long-term, family owned Italian Restaurants with full menus and Awesome pizza

Pasta Faire- Bellevue
Fiore's- Ocala, Pine Ave, downtown area.

Let me know how you love them.

Daily take out Specials on Pizza!
Buy one, get one!!!!

[retiredguy123]

Retired Guy We absolutely love 2 places outside of TV.
Both are nice, long-term, family owned Italian Restaurants with full menus and Awesome pizza

Pasta Faire- Bellevue
Fiore's- Ocala, Pine Ave, downtown area.

Let me know how you love them.

Daily take out Specials on Pizza!
Buy one, get one!!!!
Thanks. I have been to Pasta Faire. Very good pizza, but it is a long drive. Not been to Fiore's.

[Stu from NYC]

Never have been impressed with New England food for the most part. Most of the food is much better here.

Tip, you may want to stay North and enjoy whatever is deemed better.

You are certainly entitled to your opinion but it is a very small minority one.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

You are certainly entitled to your opinion but it is a very small minority one.

Fact check: VERY, VERY TRUE!

:beer3:

[TomPerry]

For pizza I mean North End or East Boston style. Really the same as NY style. Pizzeria Regina would be the most recognizable name.
Gio Deli just north of CR466 on 301 has the best pizza outside Regina’s in the North End of Boston!!! Period!!!

[coconutmama]

Never have been impressed with New England food for the most part. Most of the food is much better here.

Tip, you may want to stay North and enjoy whatever is deemed better.

Bless your heart

[thelegges]

Right... When I think Creole of Cajun, I think "Massachusetts/Boston"...

I'm from the DC area. I've been to "Little Italy" in B'more and Philly, Chinatown in DC. Excellent food.

Some of the best Chinese food I've ever had was in Northern VA... They have a HUGE Asian population.

All "Mid-Atlantic" states...

Is Chicago not "ethically diverse"? How many in TV are from the greater Chicago area?

So spare me the "Only the New England states have the ethnic diversity need for good food...
i think of NOLA for Cajun or Creole, or chef from that area

I know of several on my street...

But I don't go around counting...

Last reported on Asian in TV was .15% which is up from 2007, no idea outside the bubble, but Guess its pretty low. Since Asian food is very regional one isat the mercy of the families root s when serving food

[Janicepyatt]

Very good salads around here and if you want to live a long healthy life, eat more salads. Remember, you ain't young anymore,.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Very good salads around here and if you want to live a long healthy life, eat more salads. Remember, you ain't young anymore,.

But at this point, it’s all downhill, so seafood is high protein, low saturated fat, full of oils and omega3s, and finish off retirement in happiness instead of chlorophyll colored water

[rrdsg]

Well, that's annoying. The ************** should be villages news with a hyphen between villages and news. I kept trying to send it in different ways but it keeps putting the dumb * in. I found the article by a google search of "kung fu chef southern trace violations".

[Steban]

Figure this is a good place to find all sorts of info. Be moving there soon.

Anyhow, as anyone from Boston/North Shore can attest, we are snobs on pizza, roast beef sandwiches and even Chinese food. Heck when I moved closer to Worcester I couldn't even find good Chinese nor roast beef.

So what I'm looking for is roast beef like Kelly's. Warm beef slices on a sesame or onion roll, American cheese, and bbq sauce.

Pizza, needs to be Italian style, not Greek. God I'd kill for a Santarpios pizza. But heck even Papa Ginos is acceptable.

Chinese, well if you are from the North Shore, you know Kowloon style. That's what I'd be looking for.

Please no haters. The food IS NOT A DEAL BREAKER. If you want to tell me to stay in Massachusetts, just move along. This is for fun and to hear what there is for fast casual stuff around the Villages. It does not matter if the food doesn't live up to what I have in Massachusetts. I'm just trying to learn more.

The beef part is easy. Get a rump or eye round. I like to season them with Montreal Steak Seasoning. Don’t be shy! Vacuum seal the beef. Sous Vide at 135° for 24 hours. Heat up the grill on full blast or use the broiler in your oven to make a nice bark. Keep an eye on it turning the beef as it chars. Slice it on a meat slicer or as thin as you can hand carve it. Put it on a fresh Publix bakery roll with the toppings of your choice. We like our beef with vidalia onion and fresh made horseradish sauce.

[retiredguy123]

Well, that's annoying. The ************** should be villages news with a hyphen between villages and news. I kept trying to send it in different ways but it keeps putting the dumb * in. I found the article by a google search of "kung fu chef southern trace violations".
You don't need to find the article at all. Go to:

MyFloridaLicense.com – License efficiently. Regulate fairly. (http://www.myfloridalicense.com)

Scroll down and click on the icon, "food and lodging inspections". From there, you can search for any restaurant and read the health inspection reports.

[retiredguy123]

Any link to where to find the inspections?
Go to:

MyFloridaLicense.com – License efficiently. Regulate fairly. (http://www.myfloridalicense.com)

Scroll down and click on "food and lodging inspections". From there, you can search for any restaurant and read the health inspection reports.

[Dotneko]

Went to Gios today and the pizza was excellent!

[ThirdOfFive]

Go to:

MyFloridaLicense.com – License efficiently. Regulate fairly. (http://www.myfloridalicense.com)

Scroll down and click on "food and lodging inspections". From there, you can search for any restaurant and read the health inspection reports.
Many thanks for the link.

Some of those inspection reports are beyond belief!

[Murphy1408]

We are from Chicago and searching for the same thing “Chicago Style”
I’d love suggestions also. What he said - just suggestions please.
I make my own Italian beef, message me for recipe. Pizza - none that are close in taste/crust.
Chinese - we like the one in Lake Deaton 352-571-5902, sorry can’t remember the name. Sakura is good in Colony for a sit-down meal.Hibachi style, tempura, etc. nothing like chop suey, egg foo young,etc.

[margaretmattson]

Very good salads around here and if you want to live a long healthy life, eat more salads. Remember, you ain't young anymore, . My nutritionist would disagree with you. Salads are chock full of fat and oils. (Think oily or creamy dressing and cheese) If you get them at a restaurant, one salad may have more calories than you are supposed to eat the entire day. Plus, eating too many raw vegetables, spinach for example, can interfere with your medications, give you digestive issues, toxic amount of vitamin k, and kidney stones. At our age, it is always best to eat a variety of foods and cooked vegetables are easier on the body.

[Tina2023]

Hi,

I'm from Massachusetts and the best Greek pizza I have found so far is from Stavros and Sons Pizza Restaurant in Fruitland Park. Its a small place that has been in business for 51 years. They even make their own desserts including Baklava. My only complaint is the pizza could have been raised a little bit more but the crust was perfect, sauce was spices nicely and they had a good ratio of sauce, cheese and toppings.

Give it a try when you get down here. It's about 15-20 minutes from Brownwood.

[Bilyclub]

Hi,

I'm from Massachusetts and the best Greek pizza I have found so far is from Stavros and Sons Pizza Restaurant in Fruitland Park. Its a small place that has been in business for 51 years. They even make their own desserts including Baklava. My only complaint is the pizza could have been raised a little bit more but the crust was perfect, sauce was spices nicely and they had a good ratio of sauce, cheese and toppings.

Give it a try when you get down here. It's about 15-20 minutes from Brownwood.

Stavros is adding an addition which is currently being built.

[sunny56]

For the roast beef sandwich, you can order James River barbeque sauce. That is the sauce Kelly's roast beef uses. I find Boars Head beef shaved. Heat up with the cheese and rolls and voila: Kelly's roast beef sandwich.

I have found that you can order Domino's Pizza Brooklyn style crust is close to what you are seeking. Also Piesano's is good.

I make my own chinese, but a woman from Everett down here said that the chinese place in the Lowe's plaza on 466A is pretty good.

I also make my own seafood like Kelly's. I have a fryer and make my own fried shrimp and scallops. I also make my own tarter sauce, so it is what most people love. I make the tarter sauce with Bread and Butter pickles and mayonaise.

I have found ways to make do with what we like. Other key ingredients I use are Cento Hoagie Pepper spread and Beano's Submarine Oil. That will help with subs as well.

Hope this helps. Enjoy your move to here.

[Randall55]

Gio’s Deli and Mercato
Oxford as close as it getsWe went there last night, pretty good. I would recommend you give it a try.

[frayedends]

For the roast beef sandwich, you can order James River barbeque sauce. That is the sauce Kelly's roast beef uses. I find Boars Head beef shaved. Heat up with the cheese and rolls and voila: Kelly's roast beef sandwich.

I have found that you can order Domino's Pizza Brooklyn style crust is close to what you are seeking. Also Piesano's is good.

I make my own chinese, but a woman from Everett down here said that the chinese place in the Lowe's plaza on 466A is pretty good.

I also make my own seafood like Kelly's. I have a fryer and make my own fried shrimp and scallops. I also make my own tarter sauce, so it is what most people love. I make the tarter sauce with Bread and Butter pickles and mayonaise.

I have found ways to make do with what we like. Other key ingredients I use are Cento Hoagie Pepper spread and Beano's Submarine Oil. That will help with subs as well.

Hope this helps. Enjoy your move to here.

Thanks for the info, especially the sauce. I knew it was some different sort of BBQ sauce. Other places would put regular BBQ and it wasn't the same.

[Stu from NYC]

Stavros is adding an addition which is currently being built.

Need to give it a try

[capecodkev]

I grew up in Ashland (metro west) and we always called them grinders when we were kids.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

My nutritionist would disagree with you. Salads are chock full of fat and oils. (Think oily or creamy dressing and cheese) If you get them at a restaurant, one salad may have more calories than you are supposed to eat the entire day. Plus, eating too many raw vegetables, spinach for example, can interfere with your medications, give you digestive issues, toxic amount of vitamin k, and kidney stones. At our age, it is always best to eat a variety of foods and cooked vegetables are easier on the body.

correct! some salad is good but not entire meals and not without some animal/fish proteins. on some, too many raw vegetables blocks the entire system up. . . and results in nasty crop dusting

[Stu from NYC]

correct! some salad is good but not entire meals and not without some animal/fish proteins. on some, too many raw vegetables blocks the entire system up. . . and results in nasty crop dusting

Not a fan of Boston baked beans on a salad?

[Stu4206]

Nothing like Kelly's roast beef around The Villlages, no Kowloon either, Papa Gino's forget it. You'll notice a BIG difference in Dunkin too. No Woodman's for fried clams, no Beach Plum for Lobstah rolls either.
But we survived, lots of fun decent places around here!

Kellys Roast Beef uses James River BBQ Sauce for the roast beef sandwiches. You can find it on Amazon. I've tried it and I can't tell the difference.

On a side note does anyone know where I can get New England Style hot dog rolls near The Villages?

[Ecuadog]

...

On a side note does anyone know where I can get New England Style hot dog rolls near The Villages?

I have seen Pepperidge Farm rolls at Publix. Possibly, Arnold also.

[Two Bills]

Many thanks for the link.

Some of those inspection reports are beyond belief!

Thank heavens the inspectors do not visit private houses.
We turned to living in squalor just after Covid lock down kicked in.
Even the roaches left our place in disgust! :icon_wink:

[Dusty_Star]

As far as pastrami, I can actually make a good pastrami myself. I have corned the beef brisket then seasoned it and smoked it into an excellent pastrami. Maybe I found my retirement business. Lol.

Be sure to let us know if you get into pastrami as a retirement sideline.

[DonH57]

Figure this is a good place to find all sorts of info. Be moving there soon.

Anyhow, as anyone from Boston/North Shore can attest, we are snobs on pizza, roast beef sandwiches and even Chinese food. Heck when I moved closer to Worcester I couldn't even find good Chinese nor roast beef.

So what I'm looking for is roast beef like Kelly's. Warm beef slices on a sesame or onion roll, American cheese, and bbq sauce.

Pizza, needs to be Italian style, not Greek. God I'd kill for a Santarpios pizza. But heck even Papa Ginos is acceptable.

Chinese, well if you are from the North Shore, you know Kowloon style. That's what I'd be looking for.

Please no haters. The food IS NOT A DEAL BREAKER. If you want to tell me to stay in Massachusetts, just move along. This is for fun and to hear what there is for fast casual stuff around the Villages. It does not matter if the food doesn't live up to what I have in Massachusetts. I'm just trying to learn more.

Piesano"s is the closest I've come to compare to Papa Gino's but never found anything close to Pizza Regina or Polcari's.

Haven't found anything close to roast beef like Kelly's or even Buzzy's if you remember them. I haven't found a Hot pastrami like any from the north end either.

The only thing I've found in the way of Chinese is one's where you sit around the fire table and get your eyebrows cinged! Nothing great take out wise in the style and taste of the Kowloon.:beer3:

[Dusty_Star]

With all due respect, never heard of Mass style pizza. Nor I have seen it advertised in Florida or anywhere else in the world. "We serve Massachussets Style Pizza". New Haven pizza is the best IMHO.

:BigApplause:

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Smoker sometimes 2 on corner of 466 and rolling acres. Haven’t been there in awhile. Too far away, There are 3 up in Gainesville we frequent one smokes brisket, one pork, and the new guy is doing Greek.

My family in KY has a 10’x15’ triple high smoker at the farm, family takes bbq seriously.

The good news, is that I've since learned that I make a kickin pot of Jambalaya. Got it off a recipe from People Magazine, of all places. Then after my guests said it was as good as any they've had in New Orleans, I looked up the person who wrote the recipe. She specializes in Cajun and Creole cooking and is a renowned chef. Mine, I'm sure, didn't come out nearly as perfect as hers does but she probably has access to hog butchers who make the sausage to her exact specifications. I get the andouille sausage from the supermarket.

[frayedends]

:BigApplause:

Another perplexing post. I don’t believe I said Massachusetts style pizza anywhere in this thread. I described the style of pizza that I love and we have in Massachusetts. I gave examples of the best places.

But I’m glad you are happy I was called out for it. lol.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Why is it that everyone relocating here thinks that what they currently have is offered up down here????? This is Florida, it isn't NY, Mass, NJ PA etc. DO NOT expect anything you have been living with to be here - this is NOT a replication factory. It took years to find stuff for us that would replace things we like, and now being in TV it's even worse. The middle of Florida is nothing but blah, it's cracker heaven which actually is better than beach side.

Borrom line don't expect anything and you'll be happier.

Because it never occurred to us that the foods we eat WOULDN'T be here. I mean, I've lived in Florida before, outside Ft. Lauderdale. Everything the OP is looking for, DECENT pizza, Chinese food, deli roast beef sandwiches - is all right there. There are Jewish delis you can get excellent pastrami and mouth-wateringly-delicious rye bread, belly lox and smoked sable...

If you can get it in Ft. Lauderdale, and Miami, and Tampa, and West Palm, why can't you get it in The Villages? The answer: The Villages is not a diverse area, therefore there's no call for authentic diverse dining options. Why do we assume it would be here when we move here? Answer: we are products of our environment and never expect drastic differences when we move to another part of the same country that is known to have a population that comes from EVERYWHERE.

I mean even Delray Beach now has a Frank Pepe Pizzeria.

[Dusty_Star]

Just have to say I’ve always said “subs” and I’ve been in Massachusetts my entire life. Never ever heard anyone say “grinder”. I have seen it on some signs in the metro west area.



Connecticut usage. Not sure about other areas.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

The beef part is easy. Get a rump or eye round. I like to season them with Montreal Steak Seasoning. Don’t be shy! Vacuum seal the beef. Sous Vide at 135° for 24 hours. Heat up the grill on full blast or use the broiler in your oven to make a nice bark. Keep an eye on it turning the beef as it chars. Slice it on a meat slicer or as thin as you can hand carve it. Put it on a fresh Publix bakery roll with the toppings of your choice. We like our beef with vidalia onion and fresh made horseradish sauce.

If you only want enough for two sandwiches, and don't plan on eating the same meat source every day until the entire rump is gone, then no. The beef part isn't easy at all. Even more difficult if you don't have a vacuum sealer. Or a meat slicer.

Seems like a lot of work and a lot of expense for just a couple of sandwiches once every month or two.

[Al2014]

Figure this is a good place to find all sorts of info. Be moving there soon.

Anyhow, as anyone from Boston/North Shore can attest, we are snobs on pizza, roast beef sandwiches and even Chinese food. Heck when I moved closer to Worcester I couldn't even find good Chinese nor roast beef.

So what I'm looking for is roast beef like Kelly's. Warm beef slices on a sesame or onion roll, American cheese, and bbq sauce.

Pizza, needs to be Italian style, not Greek. God I'd kill for a Santarpios pizza. But heck even Papa Ginos is acceptable.

Chinese, well if you are from the North Shore, you know Kowloon style. That's what I'd be looking for.

Please no haters. The food IS NOT A DEAL BREAKER. If you want to tell me to stay in Massachusetts, just move along. This is for fun and to hear what there is for fast casual stuff around the Villages. It does not matter if the food doesn't live up to what I have in Massachusetts. I'm just trying to learn more.

I understand your desire for these foods. We have done a bit of traveling and love to try local specialties. I think the northeast has some of the best foods, but locals even want their speciality from one restaurant. Having been to a few I can understand that. For a southener it is all very good. I'll be looking for some recommendations here because I know some will say there are none that qualify. Second best I'm sure will satisfy me just fine unless I go to Mass again. One of my desires is "Good" Texas Brisket.

[frayedends]

I understand your desire for these foods. We have done a bit of traveling and love to try local specialties. I think the northeast has some of the best foods, but locals even want their speciality from one restaurant. Having been to a few I can understand that. For a southener it is all very good. I'll be looking for some recommendations here because I know some will say there are none that qualify. Second best I'm sure will satisfy me just fine unless I go to Mass again. One of my desires is "Good" Texas Brisket.

I make a great Texas brisket. But when I get to the Villages full time I won’t have my stick burner. Probably just a pellet smoker. But I’ll see how it goes. I’ve been told by Texans my brisket is as good as Aaron Franklins. Of course I learned by watching his videos. I’m assuming I won’t have a good wood supply to do all wood smoking in the Villages.

[tophcfa]

Figure this is a good place to find all sorts of info. Be moving there soon.

Anyhow, as anyone from Boston/North Shore can attest, we are snobs on pizza, roast beef sandwiches and even Chinese food. Heck when I moved closer to Worcester I couldn't even find good Chinese nor roast beef.

So what I'm looking for is roast beef like Kelly's. Warm beef slices on a sesame or onion roll, American cheese, and bbq sauce.

Pizza, needs to be Italian style, not Greek. God I'd kill for a Santarpios pizza. But heck even Papa Ginos is acceptable.

Chinese, well if you are from the North Shore, you know Kowloon style. That's what I'd be looking for.

Please no haters. The food IS NOT A DEAL BREAKER. If you want to tell me to stay in Massachusetts, just move along. This is for fun and to hear what there is for fast casual stuff around the Villages. It does not matter if the food doesn't live up to what I have in Massachusetts. I'm just trying to learn more.

I have lived in Massachusetts for the majority of my life, including time in the Boston area (Newton, Watertown, and Brookline). We have different diets as I don’t eat the types of food referenced above. That being said, I am a seafood kind of guy, and the seafood in Massachusetts blows away just about anything we have found in the Villages area. I expected a state like Florida, that is a peninsula bordered by two huge bodies of water, to have better and more affordable seafood. To my surprise, I learned that much of the seafood served in Florida is actually imported from the northern states, with the exceptions being things like local snapper, grouper, redfish, and shrimp. Forgetting about food, there are many things in the Villages that positively blow away living in Massachusetts, with the one major exception being quality health care. The Boston area offers extensive access to some of the absolute best health care anywhere in the entire world. The Villages on the other hand has a substantially subpar and overstressed health care system. That alone is the deal breaker for us ever becoming full timers.

[Caymus]

I have lived in Massachusetts for the majority of my life, including time in the Boston area (Newton, Watertown, and Brookline). We have different diets as I don’t eat the types of food referenced above. That being said, I am a seafood kind of guy, and the seafood in Massachusetts blows away just about anything we have found in the Villages area. I expected a state like Florida, that is a peninsula bordered by two huge bodies of water, to have better and more affordable seafood. To my surprise, I learned that much of the seafood served in Florida is actually imported from the northern states, with the exceptions being things like local snapper, grouper, redfish, and shrimp. Forgetting about food, there are many things in the Villages that positively blow away living in Massachusetts, with the one major exception being quality health care. The Boston area offers extensive access to some of the absolute best health care anywhere in the entire world. The Villages on the other hand has a substantially subpar and overstressed health care system. That alone is the deal breaker for us ever becoming full timers.

Isn't that due to the difference between cold and warm water seafood?

[Stu4206]

I have seen Pepperidge Farm rolls at Publix. Possibly, Arnold also.

Those are very close. This is a NE Roll. Put butter on the sides and toast on the grill or in a pan.

[Ecuadog]

Those are very close. This is a NE Roll. Put butter on the sides and toast on the grill or in a pan.

Slice the sides off?

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Slice the sides off?

Why would anyone want to waste bread that way? New England hotdog rolls are baked that way. You basically peel them away from each other, one at a time.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Isn't that due to the difference between cold and warm water seafood?

yes, most definitely the root cause. . . . .

[Ecuadog]

Why would anyone want to waste bread that way? New England hotdog rolls are baked that way. You basically peel them away from each other, one at a time.

I didn't say throw the sliced-off parts away. That would be a waste. Save them for bread crumbs or a panade. I believe New Englanders are known for their frugality.

[dhelfer6]

We found the best pizza is from Pasta Faire. It is about 40 minutes away and they have a special everyday of buy one get one free. They also have that special on Wednesday if you want to eat at the restaurant. It is good, and reasonable.

Pasta Faire
10401 SE Us Highway 441
Belleview, Florida 34420

[JoelJohnson]

We had better water in Mass, not so good down here.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I didn't say throw the sliced-off parts away. That would be a waste. Save them for bread crumbs or a panade. I believe New Englanders are known for their frugality.

Non-New-Englanders are known for making assumptions about New Englanders.

(see what I did there?)

[Ecuadog]

Non-New-Englanders are known for making assumptions about New Englanders.

(see what I did there?)

Yankee Magazine obviously believes that New Englanders are frugal too.

From their September 1990 issue of Yankee Magazine, their issue devoted to Yankee frugality:

"After learning untold uses for dryer lint, worn-out panty hose, and used dental floss, we present the winners of the Yankee frugality contest. In our September 1990 issue of Yankee Magazine, our issue devoted to Yankee frugality, we asked for your own frugal tips and anecdotes. You responded with more than 200 letters, many of them typed or written on the back of envelopes, brown paper bags, used computer paper, and other imaginative stationary. You told us what to do with worn-out socks and panty hose, how to stretch tea bags, and the best methods for splitting and resewing sheets to make them last longer. You suggested a remarkable variety of uses for vinegar, mothballs, salt, baking soda, dryer lint, and the little balls of cotton that come in pill bottles. We received two poems about thrift and one recipe for road kill. Your anecdotes were priceless. We heard about a man who stopped his clocks before going to bed every night and started them again in the morning and a family that always turned the lights out while eating dinner. We learned how to reuse helium balloons, refrigerator light bulbs, and dental floss. You told us how to make things last. ..."

(Are you assuming that I am a Non-New-Englander?)

[Robbb]

Figure this is a good place to find all sorts of info. Be moving there soon.

Anyhow, as anyone from Boston/North Shore can attest, we are snobs on pizza, roast beef sandwiches and even Chinese food. Heck when I moved closer to Worcester I couldn't even find good Chinese nor roast beef.

So what I'm looking for is roast beef like Kelly's. Warm beef slices on a sesame or onion roll, American cheese, and bbq sauce.

Pizza, needs to be Italian style, not Greek. God I'd kill for a Santarpios pizza. But heck even Papa Ginos is acceptable.

Chinese, well if you are from the North Shore, you know Kowloon style. That's what I'd be looking for.

Please no haters. The food IS NOT A DEAL BREAKER. If you want to tell me to stay in Massachusetts, just move along. This is for fun and to hear what there is for fast casual stuff around the Villages. It does not matter if the food doesn't live up to what I have in Massachusetts. I'm just trying to learn more.

The only place I have found for fried claims like in Boston, is the Old Tavern in Celebration, outside of WDW.

[AMB444]

The food here is so bad that you won't be able to enjoy the weather, politics, or social life (just kidding).

:1rotfl:

I lived on the Palm Beach side years ago and there are many good pizza places in bigger cities. Frayedends maybe your weekend excursions can include eating at better places than TV has to offer.

[AMB444]

The nearest Indian Restaurant is over a half hour away.

Oh no. TV off my list of possible places to move to.

(just kidding :)

Can you recommend the place?

General question for anyone: I really didn't see any cooking clubs on TV list. Any groups gathering and cooking fun/interesting recipes?

[paulajr]

“Hero” is definitely NOT a Massachusetts word!!!

Some places here have good Italian bread, buy some and make your own hero.

[Stu from NYC]

“Hero” is definitely NOT a Massachusetts word!!!

But a good Hero is a good Hero.

Now if only we can get a good Greek restaurant here.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Yankee Magazine obviously believes that New Englanders are frugal too.

From their September 1990 issue of Yankee Magazine, their issue devoted to Yankee frugality:

"After learning untold uses for dryer lint, worn-out panty hose, and used dental floss, we present the winners of the Yankee frugality contest. In our September 1990 issue of Yankee Magazine, our issue devoted to Yankee frugality, we asked for your own frugal tips and anecdotes. You responded with more than 200 letters, many of them typed or written on the back of envelopes, brown paper bags, used computer paper, and other imaginative stationary. You told us what to do with worn-out socks and panty hose, how to stretch tea bags, and the best methods for splitting and resewing sheets to make them last longer. You suggested a remarkable variety of uses for vinegar, mothballs, salt, baking soda, dryer lint, and the little balls of cotton that come in pill bottles. We received two poems about thrift and one recipe for road kill. Your anecdotes were priceless. We heard about a man who stopped his clocks before going to bed every night and started them again in the morning and a family that always turned the lights out while eating dinner. We learned how to reuse helium balloons, refrigerator light bulbs, and dental floss. You told us how to make things last. ..."

(Are you assuming that I am a Non-New-Englander?)

If Yankee Magazine had a contest for the most decorative pottery designs, would you come here and proclaim that New England is known for its pottery designs?

There's a term for this - when you start with a conclusion, and then cherry pick sources that will prove your conclusion true.

Historically, New England was known for frugality. Back when the Pilgrims showed up and had very little, and had to "make do". Maine has clusters where there are very poor people who live in the state's forests, and have to "make do" with natural resources, doing their own hunting/trapping and sewing their own clothes. And of course there are people who've chosen to live "off the grid" in other clusters of forest areas.

But all of that applies to every state in the country and is no longer specific to New England. New England is a land of excess and waste, just as every other staff embraces excess and waste.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Oh no. TV off my list of possible places to move to.

(just kidding :)

Can you recommend the place?

General question for anyone: I really didn't see any cooking clubs on TV list. Any groups gathering and cooking fun/interesting recipes?

Shiva restaurant in Mt. Dora. It's a tiny place with I think only 5 tables, and 2 of them are tables for 2 people only. My go-to there: chicken curry, spiced "medium-hot" with aromatic rice, naan, and gulab jamun for dessert. I wish they'd give you more of the gulab jamun balls for what they charge, but the syrup they're swimming in is delicious. Pretty sure it's just simple syrup with a little rosewater and cardamom but really awesome.

[Ecuadog]

...

Historically, New England was known for frugality. ...

I'm glad to see that you agree... "historically" I mean.

[golfing eagles]

LOL. We enjoyed Bluefin and the Chophouse. I think we liked Red Sauce a few years ago. Even City Fire was fine for what it is. We will be okay.

Besides, if you want REALLY good pizza, Original Ray's in Greenwich Village, NYC
Chinese, Wo Hop's at corner bend in Mott St., NYC
Roast beef?---Wolf's sandwich shop, 58th and 6th, NYC

Guess what all those places have in common??? And it certainly IS NOT Boston.

[golfing eagles]

Shiva restaurant in Mt. Dora. It's a tiny place with I think only 5 tables, and 2 of them are tables for 2 people only. My go-to there: chicken curry, spiced "medium-hot" with aromatic rice, naan, and gulab jamun for dessert. I wish they'd give you more of the gulab jamun balls for what they charge, but the syrup they're swimming in is delicious. Pretty sure it's just simple syrup with a little rosewater and cardamom but really awesome.

Now you're showing some really good taste! Don't forget the bullet naan--excellent. I'm a little apprehensive about the goat curry----tends to have small bones in it. And if you order your food "Indian hot", the chef will come out of the kitchen and ask you if you know what you are doing.:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl: Overall, IMHO, better than Amrit Palace in Ocala.

[frayedends]

Besides, if you want REALLY good pizza, Original Ray's in Greenwich Village, NYC
Chinese, Wo Hop's at corner bend in Mott St., NYC
Roast beef?---Wolf's sandwich shop, 58th and 6th, NYC

Guess what all those places have in common??? And it certainly IS NOT Boston.

Santarpios or Regina
Kowloon
Kelly’s roast beef (where the hot roast beef sandwich was invented)

[Stu from NYC]

Besides, if you want REALLY good pizza, Original Ray's in Greenwich Village, NYC
Chinese, Wo Hop's at corner bend in Mott St., NYC
Roast beef?---Wolf's sandwich shop, 58th and 6th, NYC

Guess what all those places have in common??? And it certainly IS NOT Boston.

What is wrong with the real original Rays, or Rays or the Best Rays pizza?

[Velvet]

Well… as far as I can see you have three possibilities: learn to make the food you like at home, learn to like the food available around The Villages, or just stay where you are. Those were my choices, I’m between choice one and two. (Besides, how do you know you won’t like blackened alligator tail?)

[frayedends]

Well… as far as I can see you have three possibilities: learn to make the food you like at home, learn to like the food available around The Villages, or just stay where you are. Those were my choices, I’m between choice one and two. (Besides, how do you know you won’t like blackened alligator tail?)

I do like blackened gator tail. I do like the food around the Villages. That's not what my post was asking. I do realize the thread is old and while we did cover all of this, sometimes people don't read the entire post or the replies, so no worries.

[Gpsma]

Besides, if you want REALLY good pizza, Original Ray's in Greenwich Village, NYC
Chinese, Wo Hop's at corner bend in Mott St., NYC
Roast beef?---Wolf's sandwich shop, 58th and 6th, NYC

Guess what all those places have in common??? And it certainly IS NOT Boston.

Oh pleaase a loooong islannd hope to believe they are relly neewww yyorkers.

Pizza..tortonos in coney islamd.
Chinese…any takeout in brooklyn
Roast beef..brennan and carr

Dint listen to this long islander..he knows nothing.